GreenCell Mobility – an electric bus operator has signed a green project finance loan agreement with Standard Chartered Bank for INR 1.25 billion to finance their E-Mobility project in Surat, the company said.
Surat E-Mobility project consists of 150 electric buses represents the first-ever project finance transaction in India’s E-Mobility sector by a global bank. Furthermore, it represents a historic event for the company and Standard Chartered Bank, marking this as the first project finance transaction in the E-Mobility sector globally.
Devndra Chawla, CEO and MD of GreenCell Mobility said, “We are thrilled to announce that GreenCell has availed green loan by the leading global bank, Standard Chartered Bank, in a significant move to step up our efforts towards transforming India’s electric transportation landscape. The green financing secured for our project, will not only boost our operations but also reaffirm our leadership in the e-mobility sector in India.”
Alper Kilic, Global Head, Project and Export Finance of Standard Chartered Bank, “We are delighted to support GreenCell Mobility on this landmark financing, the first of its kind by any global bank in the E-mobility sector in India reinforcing SCB’s commitment to mobilise USD 300Bn of green and transition finance by 2030.”
The project will have substantial environmental impact with an estimated one lakh tonne of CO2 emission reduction over the project’s lifetime. This is also the first Green Loan Project Finance facility for an e-mobility project in India and globally, by the Standard Chartered Bank.
Following the parameters of the FAME II Scheme, the Project Finance Facility will provide finance for the acquisition, operation, and maintenance of 9-meter-long fully-built pure AC Electric Buses on a Gross Cost Contract basis. Under a 10-year concession deal with the Surat Municipal Corporation, these buses will run within the city of Surat, Gujarat, delivering a consistent revenue profile through a fixed per-kilometer fee structure that mitigates traffic risk.