- An Instagram video shows an electric bus charging with a diesel generator
- The bus draws power from 20,000 watts to 400 kilowatts using a transformer
- Similar incidents in India and worldwide reveal gaps in charging infrastructure
A recent Instagram reel has sparked debate in the social media community by showing an electric bus connected to a diesel generator for charging. The video, which has garnered significant views, captures the bus plugged into the generator via an electric transformer, highlighting a stark irony in green transport initiatives.
What Exactly Happened?
The footage reveals the bus drawing power rated from 20,000 watts up to 400 kilowatts through an electronic setup with a specialised full-power transformer. Viewers note that the generator directly powering what is marketed as an emissions-free vehicle shows the irony of the Zero Emissions concept in this case. Furthermore, this setup raises questions about the true environmental benefits of electric buses when grid charging infrastructure falls short.
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Similar Previous Incidents
This is not the first incident of its kind in India, like a 2019 viral clip of a Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) electric bus charging via a diesel generator en route from Hyderabad to Pune at Solapur, due to the absence of charging stations. Those buses, with a 230 km range, required a stop to complete the commute, but the practice drew criticism for undermining pollution reduction goals.
Similar reports have surfaced globally. In Sydney, 2025 media coverage exposed electric buses at Marville depot charged by diesel units as a temporary measure, avoiding depot upgrades for short-term deployment. Transport authorities defended it as preferable to direct diesel buses, though critics argued it defeats the zero-emissions claim.
Lessons From Viral Video
These examples point to challenges associated with EV adoption, particularly inadequate charging networks in remote or transitional areas. While generators offer backup, they produce higher emissions than compliant diesel vehicles and reduce range efficiency due to conversion losses. Experts believe that widespread grid expansion remains key to realising electric buses' potential in cutting urban pollution.