South Africa begins testing first battery-powered electric bus for urban rapid transit system

Cape Town has received its first battery-powered electric bus for the city’s rapid bus transit system. The delivery forms part of a programme to transition to more environmentally friendly public transport and reduce emissions in the city, according to IOL.

The pilot electric bus will undergo testing on various routes across Cape Town in the coming weeks, including the Hospital Bend transport hub in the city centre.

Experts will assess the vehicle’s range, energy consumption and the impact of weather conditions on battery performance, as well as draw up recommendations on vehicle maintenance and the development of the necessary charging infrastructure.

Roberto Quintas, the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, described the arrival of the first electric bus as a significant milestone in the 16-year history of the city’s rapid bus transit system. He said that the transition to electric transport would make the public transport system more environmentally friendly, reliable and cost-effective.

In total, the city plans to purchase 38 low-floor, battery-powered electric buses, each 12 metres long. Their bodies were designed and manufactured in South Africa for the first time – at a facility in the Gauteng province.

The first electric buses are expected to commence regular services on 1 July 2027. The new electric buses will connect the major residential areas of south-east Cape Town (Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha) with the city’s southern districts (Wynberg and Claremont), as well as with Cape Town city centre.