Surat Goes Green with India’s First Smart Bus Depot

Surat, Gujarat — The diamond city of Surat, widely recognized as a clean, solar, and smart city, has added another achievement to its name by setting up India’s first Smart Bus Depot at a cost of ₹1.60 crore. Located in the Althan area, this advanced facility is powered by a 100-kilowatt rooftop solar plant and a second-life battery storage system, offering 24×7 green charging for electric buses.

This innovative depot is set to become a national model for sustainable urban transport in Surat. Developed under Surat’s Solar City initiative, the high-tech electric bus depot includes amenities like Wi-Fi, mobile charging ports, LED lighting, fans, and CCTV surveillance, making public transport cleaner and smarter.

“This is more than just technology—it’s a step towards green and sustainable public transport,” said Prakash Pandya, Executive Engineer of the Light and Energy Efficiency Cell, Surat Municipal Corporation.

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The bus depot generates around 1 lakh electricity units per year, translating to energy savings of ₹6.56 lakh annually. Electricity generated during the day is stored in second-life batteries and used to charge buses at night. This reduces the load on the power grid and increases the use of renewable energy.

“The electricity is produced from solar energy, stored during the day, and used at night. This ensures continuous charging while reducing grid dependency,” explained Pandya.

The depot’s Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) has a capacity of 224 kilowatt-hours, enabling efficient use of stored solar power.

A Partnership for Progress

The project was developed in collaboration with the German development agency GIZ and the Surat Municipal Corporation. It demonstrates how international cooperation can contribute to India’s climate goals.

Second-life batteries—reused after their initial use in vehicles—play a crucial role in this depot. These batteries are refurbished for a second life in stationary applications, supporting the circular economy by reducing waste and maximizing utility.

A National Model for Green Mobility

The solar-powered smart depot is already attracting attention from across India. It supports Surat Municipal Corporation’s Net Zero Energy and Sustainable Energy goals, and strengthens India’s push toward green mobility.

“This project is a scalable, sustainable model for future EV infrastructure in Indian cities,” said Pandya.