First Electric Bus Launched in Abu Dhabi

Following a collaboration between Masdar and the Department of Transport in the emirate

Posted on

10 January 2019

| Last updated on 10 January 2019

by Rebecca Roberts

Electrics bus now operating in Abu Dhabi

Image credit: WAM

The region's very first fully electric passenger bus has officially launched!

It's the result of a partnership between the Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi (DoT), Abu Dhabi-based bus manufacturer Hafilat Industry LLC , and leading technology company Siemens.

The electric bus will serve a six-stop route between the emirate's Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station and Masdar City, which is the Capital's flagship sustainable urban community.

The Eco-Bus will be seamlessly integrated into the DoT's existing fleet at first, and residents will be able to use it free of charge until the end of March 2019.

Image credit: Tech Arabia

Designed to withstand the heat and humidity of the UAE climate, the Eco-Bus is set to overcome key performance challenges for electric vehicles in this climate.

Here's what we know about it's design:

The bus will seat 30 passengers
It has a range of 150 kilometres per battery charge
Solar panels are also used to power the Eco-Bus’s auxiliary systems
It has a lightweight aluminium body
A unique water-cooling system to optimise battery life and efficiency
Has a highly energy-efficient on-board A/C system
Has a gearless PEM motor - which means it is efficient, quiet and virtually maintenance-free

A milestone for the UAE

"The launch of the Eco-Bus is a milestone for the UAE in a number of ways," said Yousef Baselaib, Executive Director for Sustainable Real Estate at Masdar.

"Masdar City has been an incubator of sustainable mobility technologies, including the iconic Personal Rapid Transport system and the NAVYA AUTONOM shuttle vehicle. Now we are exporting solutions beyond the city limits with our partners for the benefit of the wider community."

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"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," Baselaib said.