The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), in partnership with the Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT) and Toshiba, is launching a joint project to convert its older diesel-powered buses into electric buses.
A key feature of this initiative is the use of lithium-titanium-oxide (LTO) batteries, supplied by Toshiba, which enable rapid charging in just 10 to 20 minutes. This quick charging is achieved through pantograph charging systems installed at bus stations, utilizing rooftop receivers on the buses. This is a significant improvement over the one to four hours typically required for full charging of common Lithium Ferro-Phosphate (LFP) batteries.
Under a pilot phase, three KSRTC buses, those older than five years, will be retrofitted. Their existing engines, gearboxes, and transmission systems will be replaced with a power train system that includes a 200 kW Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) and a 100 to 150 kWh LTO battery. The Thiruvananthapuram-Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram-Kottarakkara routes would be served by the adapted buses at first. While pantograph charging facilities are scheduled to be installed at certain stations, such as Kayamkulam, the precise locations are yet to be confirmed.
This conversion project aligns with the Kerala State Action Plan on Climate Change 2023-2030 and the State’s 14th Five Year Plan, which aim to modernize KSRTC’s fleet with energy-efficient vehicles like e-buses to significantly reduce emissions and improve public transportation efficiency.
