DUBAI : The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced that the new fleet will be delivered in phases, significantly expanding Dubai’s electric public transport capacity. Currently, the authority operates 40 electric buses as part of a broader strategy that also includes hydrogen-powered vehicles, aligned with the ambitions of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the UAE’s national climate neutrality targets.

To support the expansion, RTA has already established charging infrastructure across five key depots in Al Quoz, Al Ruwayyah, Lehbab, Business Bay, and Jebel Ali. These facilities are equipped with 32 high-capacity chargers rated at 360 kilowatts, ensuring operational efficiency and readiness as the electric fleet scales up.

One of the newly introduced buses is already operating on Route F13, offering a range of up to 370 kilometres on a single charge, powered by a 470 kilowatt-hour battery. The authority has placed strong emphasis on passenger comfort, particularly enhancing air-conditioning systems to suit the region’s climate.

Performance is being closely monitored using technical and operational indicators such as battery range, charging time, energy consumption, and efficiency, along with environmental metrics like emissions reduction and noise levels. Initial assessments have shown promising results, especially on short and medium urban routes, with satisfaction levels exceeding 95 per cent among both drivers and passengers.

Marwan Al Zarooni, Director of Buses at the Public Transport Agency, stated that the initiative forms part of a long-term strategy to build a sustainable and environmentally friendly transport network through advanced operational solutions that boost efficiency and cut emissions. He highlighted that robust charging infrastructure remains key to ensuring the reliability and scalability of the fleet.

Environmental progress has already been recorded, with RTA achieving a 12 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2025 compared to the previous year, and a 44 per cent drop relative to 2022 levels. The adoption of electric buses alone helped avoid more than 59,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in 2025.