Dubai enhances the sustainable transportation system with 735 new electric buses

The Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai has accelerated the implementation of its strategy to transform into a zero-emission public transport system by 2050, by expanding the operation of electric buses and supplying 735 buses, whose delivery will be completed gradually during the year 2026, in a step that represents the largest and first batch of its kind in the country.

The Authority currently operates 40 electric buses within the public transportation fleet, as part of a comprehensive plan to completely transform into environmentally friendly public transportation means, which includes the adoption of electric and hydrogen buses, in line with Dubai’s economic agenda. D33 The UAE’s goals are to achieve climate neutrality.

The Authority completed the electric charging infrastructure project in 5 main operational sites, which includes 32 chargers with a capacity of 360 kilowatts, distributed in Al Quoz, Al Ruwayyah, Al Lisaili, and Business Bay, in addition to the Jebel Ali station, in a way that enhances the readiness of the fleet and supports the continuity of operation in accordance with the requirements of the expansion of the use of electric buses.

The authority began operating one of the electric buses on the line F13With a range of up to 370 kilometers per charge, and a battery with a capacity of 470 kilowatt-hours, with a focus on the efficiency of air conditioning systems and the level of comfort, to meet the requirements of operation in the urban environment.

In evaluating the performance of electric buses, the Authority relies on a set of technical and operational indicators, including battery range, charging time, and frequency of need to refuel, in addition to standards for emissions, quietness, and operational efficiency.

The operating results showed a clear superiority of electric buses, especially on short and medium urban trips, with a satisfaction rate exceeding 95% recorded among drivers and passengers.

Marwan Al Zarouni, Director of the Bus Department at the Public Transport Agency at the Roads and Transport Authority, said that the expansion of the operation of electric buses comes within the authority’s strategy to transform into a sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation system, by adopting advanced operational solutions that enhance performance efficiency and contribute to reducing emissions.

He added that developing the electric charging infrastructure in key operational locations represents a fundamental pillar for the success of this transformation and ensures the readiness of the fleet and the continuity of its highly efficient operation, and supports the gradual expansion of the introduction of electric buses into the public transportation network.

He stressed that the initial operating results of electric buses showed high levels of reliability and operational efficiency, in addition to providing a comfortable transportation experience for passengers, especially on urban trips, which reinforces the authority’s direction towards expanding the scope of their use during the next stage.

The Authority measures the environmental impact of this transformation through key indicators that include the carbon footprint, greenhouse gas emissions, and diesel fuel consumption.

The Authority recorded a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions by 12% in 2025 compared to 2024, and by 44% compared to the base year of 2022.

The operation of electric buses also contributed to avoiding more than 59,263 tons of carbon dioxide emissions during the year 2025, which supports the goal of reducing emissions by 30% by 2030, as part of a more comprehensive strategy to achieve zero-emission public transportation.