Ten battery-powered buses made their first run downtown
yesterday, as part of Shanghai's latest efforts to reduce traffic
pollution and adopt clean-energy public transport.
Free from an engine that consumes fuel and discharges harmful
wastes, the new buses are driven by the combination of a battery
and capacitor, which produces no fuel pollution during its
operation.
The electric-powered buses could also save the bus company 85
percent of its daily energy costs.
The 10 buses are owned by Dazhong Transport Group and run on bus
route 825, running from Jing'an Temple on downtown Nanjing Road W.
to Beixinjing in Changning District.
The buses also have a much quieter ride than ordinary
air-conditioned buses, as Shanghai Daily found out while riding the
new route yesterday.
No fuel pollution and lower noise levels are two of the
advantages of the electric buses, said Dazhong officials.
However, the initial cost is higher, and Dazhong would need some
time to see if it can make ends meet with the new buses, without
disclosing the cost.
Batteries on the buses will be recharged at night, and Shanghai
Power Supply Bureau has offered a 50-percent discount to Dazhong to
support its efforts in adopting clean energy.
(Shanghai Daily September 19, 2007)
