Ahmedabad welcomes public Electric Buses with advanced Fire Suppression and cybersecurity 

In view of recent fire incidents involving electric vehicles, a specialised automatic fire suppression system has been installed to prevent such accidents.

Safety features

Fire Suppression System

Considering recent news of electric vehicles catching fire, the newly introduced electric buses will include a specialised automatic fire suppression system to avoid any such mishap. 

The system is built in a way that if the battery compartment catches fire due to a short circuit or any other reason, it will be immediately extinguished by the fire control system fitted next to the battery. This was reiterated by the AMTS Committee Chairman, Dharmashi Desai, who stated that the automated fire system will instantly trigger in the event of a short circuit caused by battery temperatures exceeding safe limits.

Cybersecurity Measures

Another advanced feature of the electric buses will be their strong cybersecurity technology, which will prevent the vehicle’s digital platform from any cyber threats, such as hacking. 

In addition, to defend the bus software from cyberattacks, every bus will go through an annual digital audit.

Additionally, safety features, including SOS switches, CCTV cameras, and real-time tracking, have also been incorporated. Also, to ensure passengers’ safety, the bus will only run after all the doors are closed

Other Features

When the speed is less than 20 kmph, electric buses, which generally function silently,  will produce a distinctive warning sound to notify pedestrians and other road users. 

The buses were introduced on a per-kilometre operation contract with Arrow Eagle, which means that AMTS will pay the operator based on the mileage travelled rather than bearing any purchasing costs.

To deal with any emergency, the bus will also have SOS buttons. If the driver encounters any difficulties, pressing the SOS button will instantly notify the authorities and stop the bus.

Meanwhile, the bus equips a STOP button that can halt the bus by making an alert sound.

In addition, the driver can keep his surveillance on the passenger compartment by monitoring CCTV footage from close to the driver's seat.

The electric buses will start their operations in the first week of January.