Cairo launches operation trial of 1st electric bus

CAIRO – 17 December 2019: Cairo launched Tuesday a trial operation of its first electric bus, as a prelude to deploy more buses into service at the public transport sector, along with natural-gas powered buses in the governorate.

The Public Transport Authority in Cairo received 20 new natural-gas powered buses, as a second batch of buses a year after these buses entering service. This first batch included 10 buses. So far, 30 buses out of a total 121 buses entered service so far. This come as part of the government’s efforts to renovate the authority’s bus fleet.

The governorate is set to hold a ceremony Tuesday to mark the reception of the new batch of natural-gas powered buses, and the launching of the trial operation of the electric bus.

In November, 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.

On the private sector side, Chairman of Factory 200 Yosry al-Nemr revealed that entering the sector of electric vehicles manufacturing has started with city buses to be followed in order by travel buses, private buses, minibuses, taxis and cars.

In a meeting with the Energy and Environment Committee at the House of Representatives, Nemr said that his establishment has taken the first steps to accomplish the strategy devised to deepen the local manufacturing of electric vehicles.

A deal was closed with a Chinese company in April to build a plant for manufacturing electric vehicles, and producing city buses has begun.