CM Yogi: UP runs 700 electric buses across 17 municipal corporations
Synopsis
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced that Uttar Pradesh is running 700 electric buses across 17 municipal corporations, reflecting the state's sustained push to electrify urban public transport under its EV policy and central FAME-II scheme support.
Key Takeaways
700 electric buses are currently operational across Uttar Pradesh .
The fleet covers all 17 municipal corporations in the state.
The rollout is backed by the Uttar Pradesh Electric Vehicle Policy 2019 and the central FAME-II scheme .
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has led the state's urban electrification drive since 2017 .
Cities including Lucknow , Kanpur , Varanasi , and Agra are among the beneficiaries.
Expansion beyond the current 17 corporations and integration with metro projects is being watched.
The Chief Minister's Office of Uttar Pradesh announced on Friday, June 12, 2026 that the state is currently operating 700 electric buses across 17 municipal corporations, citing Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directly.
Context
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated, 'हम वर्तमान समय में उत्तर प्रदेश के 17 नगर निगमों में 700 इलेक्ट्रिक बसों का संचालन कर रहे हैं' ('We are currently operating 700 electric buses across 17 municipal corporations of Uttar Pradesh'). The announcement underlines the state government's active deployment of zero-emission public transport across its urban centres. Uttar Pradesh is India's most populous state, and its 17 municipal corporations collectively serve tens of millions of urban residents.
Policy Backdrop
Uttar Pradesh notified its Electric Vehicle Policy in 2019, offering incentives for both manufacturing and deployment of electric buses in urban areas. From 2020 onwards, several UP cities began inducting electric buses under the central government's FAME-II scheme alongside state funding. The current fleet of 700 electric buses represents the cumulative outcome of this multi-year electrification push, which has progressively covered the state's major urban centres.
Stakeholders and Impact
Urban commuters across Uttar Pradesh's 17 municipal corporations stand as the primary beneficiaries, gaining access to cleaner, quieter, and more modern public transport. The deployment is also expected to reduce vehicular emissions in cities that have historically struggled with air quality, including Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, and Agra. Municipal corporations, tasked with managing routes and charging infrastructure, are central operational stakeholders in sustaining and scaling the fleet.
What's Next
The state government's electric bus programme is widely expected to expand further, with attention on fresh tenders for additional buses and deeper integration with upcoming metro rail projects in cities such as Lucknow and Kanpur. Possible extension of the electric bus network beyond the current 17 municipal corporations to smaller urban bodies remains a key question for the next phase of Uttar Pradesh's urban mobility agenda. The trajectory suggests the state intends to position itself as a national benchmark for large-scale electric public transport deployment.
Point of View
With 700 electric buses across 17 municipal corporations representing one of the largest state-level electric public transport rollouts in India. For CM Yogi Adityanath, the figure serves as a governance milestone ahead of any future electoral cycle, demonstrating tangible urban infrastructure delivery. The move also aligns UP with the national push to decarbonise public transport, reinforcing the state's bid to attract EV manufacturing investment under its own EV policy. The next test will be whether operational quality, charging infrastructure, and route coverage keep pace with fleet size.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many electric buses are running in Uttar Pradesh in 2026?
As of June 2026, 700 electric buses are operational across 17 municipal corporations in Uttar Pradesh, according to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Which cities in UP have electric buses?
The electric buses cover all 17 municipal corporations of Uttar Pradesh, which include major cities such as Lucknow , Kanpur , Varanasi , Agra , and others.
What is the Uttar Pradesh Electric Vehicle Policy?
The Uttar Pradesh Electric Vehicle Policy was notified in 2019 to promote EV manufacturing, adoption, and public transport electrification, offering incentives for bus deployment in urban areas.
What is the FAME-II scheme and how does it relate to UP electric buses?
FAME-II is a central government scheme that subsidises electric vehicle purchases including buses. Several UP cities inducted electric buses under this scheme alongside state funding from 2020 onwards.
Will Uttar Pradesh expand its electric bus fleet beyond 17 municipal corporations?
Expansion is being closely watched. Tenders for additional buses and integration with metro projects in Lucknow and Kanpur are expected to shape the next phase of the programme.
