India, CESL launches tender for 6,230 electric buses under PM E-DRIVE and Delhi GCC programme

Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) has issued a large-scale tender for the procurement, operation and maintenance of 6,230 electric buses across multiple Indian cities under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme and Delhi’s public transport programme.

CESL, a Government of India-backed entity under the Ministry of Power, has formally invited bids for the selection of bus operators on a gross cost contracting (GCC) basis, covering not only vehicle supply but also long-term operations, maintenance and the development of allied electric and civil infrastructure. The tender represents one of the largest consolidated electric bus procurements currently active in the Indian market.

separate and subsequent to the earlier 10,900-bus tender issued under the PM E-Drive programme.

Scope and structure of CESL mega electric bus tender

According to the Invitation for Bids (IFB), the tender covers 2,900 electric buses under PM E-DRIVE Scheme Tender-II and an additional 3,330 electric buses for Delhi, bringing the total to 6,230 units. The project is structured as a single-stage, two-envelope e-tendering process, with CESL acting as the central procurement and contracting authority.

The scope of work extends beyond vehicle supply to include depot electrification, charging infrastructure, civil works and full lifecycle operations and maintenance. This integrated model aligns with CESL’s established approach of aggregating demand and standardising contractual frameworks to accelerate public transport electrification across states and cities.

City-wise lots and bid security requirements

The tender is divided into multiple city-specific lots covering Pune, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Delhi, with Delhi split into three separate packages. Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) requirements vary significantly by lot size, ranging from ₹4.54 crore (around €0.5 million) for Ahmedabad to ₹37.20 crore (approximately €4.1 million) for the largest Delhi lot. For bidders participating across multiple cities, EMDs are cumulative. Overall, the aggregate EMD exposure across all lots amounts to ₹134.82 crore, equivalent to roughly €15 million.

This lot-based structure is designed to allow both large national operators and city-focused players to participate, while still ensuring financial robustness for large-scale, long-duration GCC contracts.

Tender documents are available for download from 9 January 2026, with the deadline for bid submission set for 10 March 2026.

The techno-commercial bids are due to be opened on 23 February 2026, and bids will remain valid for 180 days from the date of opening. As with other CESL procurements, all submissions must be made through the organisation’s designated e-procurement portal, with physical submission of bid security instruments required prior to bid opening.