RTA will trial electric buses in Dubai

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced that it will be conducting a trial run of electric buses in Dubai. The buses will use rechargeable batteries which can be recharged up to 80 per cent in less than 30 minutes. On a full battery a bus can cover up to 200 kilometres at a speed of 100kph.

The RTA will coordinate with the Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) about future steps regarding providing the infrastructure of electric vehicles.

The move comes in line with the Green Economy for a Sustainable Development initiative launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, which is aimed at fostering a green economy in the UAE in view of the importance of power for humans and various ingredients of development projects.

“The initiatives also concords with the power and low carbon strategy pursued by the Government of Dubai with the objective of making Dubai a role model in the efficient power consumption, and curbing carbon emissions,” said Mattar Al Tayer, chairman of the board and executive director of the RTA.

“The RTA will embark on the pilot operation of electric buses to assess the associated environmental benefits, measure the rate of reduced carbon emissions, identify the distance covered by the bus following each battery recharge process in addition to other parameters,” said Mattar Al Tayer, executive director of the RTA.