Why Electric School Buses Must Be Affordable: A Call to Action for EV Manufacturers in India

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At Galaxy Cars Bihar, we believe the future of transportation is electric—and that includes our children’s daily school commute. 

Introduction

India’s electric vehicle revolution is in full swing, with passenger cars, bikes, and city buses already on the road. But one critical sector remains largely untouched—school transportation. For lakhs of children across India, the daily commute still involves aging diesel buses that pollute the very air they breathe.

Electric school buses are the solution—but they remain unaffordable for most Indian schools. It's time that EV manufacturers step forward with cost-effective, school-focused electric buses that truly support India's education and environmental goals.

The Problem: Electric Buses Are Too Expensive for Schools

While large transport operators or government agencies can afford ₹30–40 lakh electric buses, most schools cannot.

Let’s look at the numbers:

  • A new diesel school mini-bus (18–24 seats) costs about ₹10–12 lakh.

  • A similar electric bus starts at ₹25–30 lakh.

  • Even after FAME-II subsidies, the effective cost is around ₹20–25 lakh—double the price of a diesel model.

This cost barrier makes electric school buses unviable for private schools, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns.

What Schools Actually Need

Electric school buses don’t require long-range or luxury features. They run short distances (typically under 60 km/day) and mostly on fixed routes.

Here’s what schools are really looking for:

  • Capacity: 18–30 seats

  • Range: 80–120 km per charge

  • Charging: Basic AC charging overnight at school

  • Safety Features: AIS-052 certified, speed limiters, GPS, CCTV

  • Cost After Subsidy: Ideally between ₹15–20 lakh

These specifications are technically feasible and ideal for Indian school operations.

Why EV Manufacturers Must Step In

🔋 1. Massive Untapped Market

India has over 15 lakh registered schools. Even a 10% adoption rate would mean demand for over 1.5 lakh school buses. Manufacturers who lead in this space could dominate a new, long-term EV segment.

🌱 2. Environmental & Health Impact

School zones are often high-traffic areas. Reducing emissions around children directly benefits public health and supports state-level EV adoption goals.

📊 3. Policy Alignment

The Indian government is actively promoting EVs through FAME-II, PM eBus Sewa, and state-level EV policies. EV bus makers who design affordable school solutions will align perfectly with policy incentives.

What Needs to Be Done

To truly enable the electrification of school transport, manufacturers must:

✅ Launch School-Specific Electric Buses

  • Small, affordable EV buses built for school needs

  • Low-speed, low-range models = lower battery cost = cheaper price

  • Child-safe interiors and school bus yellow color standards

✅ Offer Innovative Ownership Models

  • EMI-based financing

  • Pay-as-you-use or lease models for schools

  • Include basic maintenance in the
    cost to reduce total ownership worries

Conclusion

If India truly wants to lead in clean mobility, the electrification of school transport must become a priority. And this is only possible when manufacturers build what schools can afford.

An electric school bus priced at ₹15–20 lakh, with basic features and government support, is all it takes to transform the school commute for millions of children.

The technology exists. The need is real.
Now, it's time for action.

📍 About Galaxy Cars Bihar

We’re more than just car consultants—we’re enablers of change. Based in Patna, Galaxy Cars Bihar helps schools, businesses, and individuals find the best mobility solutions—from budget cars to sustainable electric vehicles.

📱 Instagram: @cars_galaxy_bihar

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