The North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) has floated a tender for 50 electric buses under the gross cost contract (GCC) model under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid) and Electric Vehicles-II (FAME II) program.

Bidders are expected to make an earnest money deposit of ₹500 (~$6.9). The last date for the submission of bids online is March 9, 2021. Bids in hard copies should be submitted by March 10.

The scope of work includes the procurement, operation, and maintenance of the buses. The buses must be delivered within 12 months from the release of the order.

Of the 50 electric buses, 25 must be of 12-meter-long air-conditioned Bus Rapid Transit buses. These will be operated between Hubli and Dharwad and are expected to run around 275 – 320 km a day on the bus rapid transport system corridor with a 45-minute window for charging. The buses must run for at least 225 km on a single charge.

The other 25 must be 9-meter-long non-air-conditioned buses with a floor height of 900 mm. These will also be operated within the city limits of Hubli-Dharwad and will run around 200-220 km a day with a 45-minute window for charging. These buses must run for at least 125 km per charge.

To be eligible to participate in the competitive bidding process, applicants must be original equipment manufacturers with production facilities in the country. Central or state public sector undertakings and their subsidiaries with tie-ups with at least one electric bus maker area can also participate.

They must have manufactured at least 50 electric, high-speed diesel, or compressed natural gas-fueled buses in the last three financial years in India. Bidders must have had a minimum average annual sales total turnover of ₹1 billion (~$13.8 million) and a positive net worth in the last three financial years.

In March 2020, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation invited bids to select service providers for the procurement, operation, and maintenance of 50 intercity AC electric buses on the GCC model with and without demand incentives.

Previously, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation invited bids for the procurement and operation & maintenance of 90 nine-meter electric buses on the GCC model.

Karnataka has floated tenders for 480 buses in the state as of December 2020.