Mangaluru: Private bus operators serving the Mangaluru-Kundapur-Byndoor and Mangaluru-Manipal corridors are exploring the possibility of introducing electric buses, hoping the transition could help offset rising diesel costs while modernising public transport along the coastal belt.

The Canara Bus Owners’ Association has scheduled a preliminary meeting on August 7 in Udupi, where a private mobility company will showcase electric bus models and discuss their technical and operational feasibility.

Association vice-president Sadanand Chatra said the initiative is currently at an exploratory stage. If the technology proves viable and the government provides adequate charging infrastructure, electric buses could eventually become part of the region’s private transport network.

The move follows a recent visit by a delegation of bus operators to the Prawaas 5.0 Multimodal Passenger Transport Expo in Gujarat, where they examined the latest electric bus technologies.

However, Chatra said the transition would require overcoming several challenges. Besides the high initial investment, the absence of a reliable charging network remains a major hurdle. He also pointed to Karnataka’s Comprehensive Area Scheme, under which new stage carriage permits are largely reserved for the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), making private operators cautious about investing heavily in new technology.

Private operators have also been under financial pressure following the implementation of the state’s Shakti Scheme and continued fluctuations in diesel prices, he said.

According to Chatra, electric buses currently offer a driving range of around 250 to 300 kilometres on a single charge. Since safety regulations do not permit charging while passengers are on board, fast-charging facilities at major terminals such as Mangaluru, Udupi and Kundapur would be essential for smooth operations. He added that local bodies would have to support the initiative by providing space and power infrastructure at bus stands.

Operators from districts including Shivamogga and Madikeri are also expected to attend the meeting, reflecting growing interest in electric mobility among private transport operators across Karnataka.

If electric or air-conditioned buses are introduced in the future, operators are also considering launching select non-stop services to improve travel efficiency.

“If everything falls into place, we could initially introduce around 20 to 25 electric buses,” Chatra said.

Another operator said the association would first assess whether electric buses perform better than diesel-powered vehicles under local operating conditions before taking any investment decisions.

The Canara Bus Owners’ Association operates one of the largest private bus networks in coastal Karnataka, carrying thousands of passengers every day. Its Canara Combined Transport (CCT) prepaid card system alone is used by around 27,000 commuters daily, underscoring the significance of any future shift to electric mobility.