South Africa electric bus cape town western cape

GABS CEO Francios Meyer and Minister Daylin Mitchell.

Photo: Western Cape Government

South Africa’s first electric bus launched in Cape Town

The Department of Transport and Public Works in the Western Cape has launched SA’s first active electric bus in Cape Town.

South Africa electric bus cape town western cape

GABS CEO Francios Meyer and Minister Daylin Mitchell.

Photo: Western Cape Government

The Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works and Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) officially launched South Africa’s first electric bus on Monday, 5 July in Cape Town

As of July 2021, two electric buses have been incorporated into Golden Arrow’s day-to-day operations, carrying passengers between Retreat and Cape Town.

ELECTRIC BUS TO TAKE CAPE TOWN ROUTES

Transport and Public Works Minister, Daylin Mitchell  said they are working together with Golden Arrow Bus Services on various technology solutions to improve public transport in the province. 

According to a joint statement by the department and bus company, Golden Arrow’s remarkable renewable energy journey started in 2017 with the pilot installation of two solar plants of 25kWp each. The results were encouraging and ultimately led to two of its facilities being declared carbon neutral in 2020.

“My Department endorses innovation programmes such as this one given the challenges experienced by our commuters in the absence of the passenger rail system.

Mitchell said after taking a ride in this bus, he is confident passengers will feel safe during their journey.

Golden Arrow Engineer, Gideon Neethling said the buses were tested in a range of circumstances without passengers.

“The aim was to get to know exactly how these vehicles perform before incorporating them into our operations. Testing these vehicles has been a joy for everyone who is part of the project. Each time we carry out a new test or reach a new milestone, the level of excitement increases further.”

Neethling added that there is much to be learned about the new bus including electricity usage under different conditions, charge time between trips, possible scheduling challenges as a result of charge times, maintenance needs, battery degradation and other general operational challenges compared to the currently used internal combustion engine.

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