Masdar, UAE-based renewable energy company announces their collaboration with the Department of Transport, Abu Dhabi bus manufacturer Hafilat Industry and technology major Siemens to launch the first fully electric passenger bus in the region.
According to a statement made by Masdar, the vehicle will serve a six-stop route between Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station and Masdar City – Abu Dhabi’s flagship sustainable urban community. They also mentioned that the eco-bus will be integrated into the DoT’s existing fleet, and the service will be free until the end of March. Awesome right?
Executive Director for Sustainable Real Estate at Masdar, Yousef Baselaib commented on the launch stating: “The launch of the Eco-Bus is a milestone for the UAE in a number of ways.”
As mentioned, the eco-bus is jointly developed by Masdar, Hafilat Industry LLC of Abu Dhabi, and Siemens Middle East. It can hold up to 30 passengers and has a range of 150 km per battery charge with solar panels used to power the bus’s auxiliary systems. Additionally, the e-bus has been designed to withstand heat and humidity of UAE’s climate – one of the key challenges for electric vehicles which the eco-bus is solving.
Furthermore, it has a lightweight aluminum body with a unique water-cooling system to optimize battery life and efficiency – even when the temperature is high outdoors. And for those who cannot live without ACs, the bus has a highly energy-efficient on-board air-conditioning system.
“Helping the UAE deliver on its sustainability targets, including more environmentally friendly mobility solutions, is a key part of our mandate at Masdar and high on the agenda at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2019, which will showcase opportunities for further convergence of knowledge and technologies in the pursuit of cleaner and more energy-efficient transport,” Yousef
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