AOI launches smart electric bus system

CAIRO - 11 November 2019: The Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) announced on Monday launching the smart electric bus system, where e-payment will be possible through a coalition including AOI, Wanxiang, United Investment Group, Mwasalat Misr S.A.E., and other companies operating in the sector of smart solutions.

The launching ceremony was attended by Minister of Military Production Mohamed al-Assar, Minister of Local Development Mahmoud Shaarawy, Minister of Environment Yasmin Fouad, Minister of Industry and Trade Amr Nassar, Minister of Transportation Kamel al-Wazir, and Minister of Public Business Sector Hesham Tawfik, in addition to AOI Chairman Abdel Moneim al-Taras, the Chinese ambassador to Egypt and governors of Cairo, South Sinai, Red Sea, and Port Said.

In February, Alexandria started the pilot operation of the first electric bus. In July, Minister Assar and Minister Shaarawy met with officials from China's Foton Motor to discuss a venture to jointly manufacture electric buses.

Foton officials reviewed potentials of the buses that should be manufactured in Egypt based on a signed contract. Foton Motor is currently exporting electric buses to Egypt, taking into consideration the factors of operation and environment.

The National Authority for Military Production previously signed an MoU with SSE and Marathon International Limited to build a factory that manufactures electric vehicle charging stations, and recycles batteries.

The CEO of SSE expressed desire in cooperating with the Ministry of Military Production’s affiliate companies for its qualified labor and advanced production lines, saying his company would share the latest technology in the sector with the ministry with the aim of exporting to African and Arab markets.