"Need To Expand Charging Infrastructure And Battery Range To Scale EVs"

In an email interview with ResponsibleUs, Sanyam Gandhi, Whole-time Director at Chartered Speed, highlighted the challenges posed by limited charging infrastructure, the need for higher-range battery technology, and funding constraints, noting that financing electric commercial vehicles is often more complex than financing diesel buses.

As an e-bus operator, how is Chartered Speed contributing to reducing carbon emissions in urban and intercity transport?
Buses are widely recognised as the lowest-emitting form of mass motorised transport per passenger kilometre, making them a critical pillar in efforts to decarbonise urban and intercity mobility. As the electric vehicle ecosystem matures with improvements in battery technology, charging infrastructure and supportive policies the shift from conventional diesel fleets to electric buses is gathering momentum across India. Chartered Speed undertook this transition after in-depth analysis of costs, safety, infrastructure readiness and environmental impact, and has secured an order book of operating 900 electric buses awarded under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme across Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya, serving 2.9 lakh passengers daily and replacing thousands of diesel trips with zero-emission alternatives. Currently present in eight states and expanding to 12 by year-end, we are also actively exploring intercity e-bus operations and working to integrate renewable energy solutions into our fleet. Looking ahead, we are committed to building partnerships, securing new projects and moving decisively towards our ambition to integrate renewable energy solutions into our fleet.

What kind of charging infrastructure and energy sources power your electric buses? Are you incorporating renewable energy into your fleet operations?
Our electric buses are supported by a network of fast-charging infrastructure across key cities, with each depot equipped with smart energy management systems that optimize charging schedules based on operational demand and battery availability. Currently, we have collaborated with charge point operators, along with which, we are also deploying dedicated chargers to expand the charging network across the cities and routes. From fleet management to charging logistics, having everything under one roof ensures tighter integration and faster response times. Looking ahead, we plan to incorporate renewable energy solutions such as solar power for our charging needs, which will not only improve sustainability but also help us move towards becoming a net-zero emissions mobility company.

How does Chartered Speed monitor and manage the energy efficiency of its electric fleet on a day-to-day basis?
We manage the energy efficiency of our electric fleet through an advanced fleet telematics system, which provides real-time data on each vehicle’s state of charge (SOC), battery health and overall fleet performance. This allows our operations teams to monitor and plan routes, schedule charging activities, and proactively address maintenance needs to ensure minimal downtime and optimal energy usage. By combining predictive insights with live monitoring, we can make our operations more reliable, cost-efficient and energy-smart on a day-to-day basis.

What are some of the key challenges you have faced in scaling electric bus services in India, and how are you addressing them?
Scaling electric bus services in India comes with challenges such as limited charging infrastructure, the need for higher-range battery technology, and funding constraints, as financing electric commercial vehicles is often more complex compared to diesel buses. We are addressing these by planning strategically located depots, investing in smart energy management systems, collaborating with charge point operators and participating in Public-Private Partnership models under schemes like PM e-Bus Sewa for fleet expansion. By investing in training and embracing evolving technology, we see these challenges as stepping stones toward building a robust, clean mobility ecosystem.

Beyond e-mobility, how is Chartered Speed approaching the responsible use of water, materials, and other operational resources to make its services more sustainable?
Beyond e-mobility, we focus on responsible resource use across our operations to minimise environmental impact. By maintaining our vehicles in-house, we extend their lifecycle and reduce unnecessary parts replacement, which helps cut down waste and conserve materials. Additionally, we monitor and track the consumption of spare parts and other operational resources through detailed reporting systems, allowing us to optimize usage, prevent wastage and continuously improve the sustainability of our services.

Is Chartered Speed working with local governments or city authorities to integrate e-buses into broader sustainable urban transport plans?
The transition to electric buses is primarily driven by government and city authorities, who set the vision for sustainable urban transport and invite operators like us to implement it on the ground. Collaboration with state and city-level bodies is integral to our growth strategy. We operate under Gross Cost Contracts (GCCs) with key transport agencies such as AMTS in Ahmedabad, AICTSL in Indore, and state transport undertakings in Odisha, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh . Through active participation in national programs like the PM e-Bus Sewa and FAME II, we are not only deploying electric buses but also building the necessary charging infrastructure to support them. By the end of this year, we aim to expand our presence to 12 states, working hand in hand with government authorities to advance integrated, sustainable public transport systems across India.

How is technology such as route optimization, vehicle telematics, or data analytics being used to improve the sustainability of your operations?
Technology is at the core of our sustainability strategy, enabling us to deliver efficient, reliable and eco-friendly transport services. Our in-house fleet telematics system provides real-time data on each vehicle’s state of charge (SOC), battery health and overall performance, allowing operations teams to plan routes, schedule charging, and proactively manage maintenance to minimise downtime and optimise energy usage. Smart sensors across our buses detect faults early, reducing breakdowns and improving safety, while data analytics help us monitor fleet efficiency, track emissions reductions and fine-tune operations for better resource utilisation. As the industry moves from fragmented setups to more integrated, technology-driven models, we are committed to building a smarter and more sustainable mobility ecosystem in India.

What long-term sustainability goals has Chartered Speed set for itself in terms of fleet electrification, carbon neutrality, or green logistics?
Chartered Speed has set clear and measurable sustainability goals centred around carbon neutrality and achieving net-zero emissions. Our long-term vision includes electrification of urban and intracity fleets and significantly reducing reliance on diesel by progressively transitioning more than 40% of our fleet to electric buses in the coming years. We also plan to integrate renewable energy into our charging infrastructure and embrace circular practices by reusing batteries and components while optimising resources across logistics. We thrive on looking forward and constantly challenging ourselves to prioritise electric over diesel, ensuring our efforts align with established ESG frameworks and deliver accountable, impactful progress towards a cleaner, more sustainable mobility future for India.