“It is part of RTA’s initiatives to support the use of eco-friendly vehicles and sustainable transit means. “This unique and comprehensive electric bus charging system that uses the opportunity charging technique for operating electric buses on a specific path responds to the initiative of UAE’s leadership,” said Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the board of executive directors of RTA. It will also train controllers on monitoring the electric bus and the charging unit and will work with project partners to ensure the readiness of buses, electric charging units, and the charging station.
NEW VOLVO BUS PHOTOS DRIVERS
RTA will train drivers on driving the electric bus and familiarise them with the bus system. “During this time, RTA will measure the operational efficiency of the two electric buses and experiment with the charging of electric buses using the charger at La Mer as well as the overnight charger at the Al Quoz Bus Depot,” the authority explained.
NEW VOLVO BUS PHOTOS TRIAL
The trial period will continue until March 2022. The launch is being coordinated with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), Volvo Bus Company, Meraas Real Estate, and ABB Group, a leader in the electric bus charging industry. Each bus has 38 seats in addition to three foldable seats, a place for People of Determination, and an interactive display screen,” said the authority. “The length of the distance travelled is a function of several factors such as the terrain of the road, temperature, and the operation of the air conditioners. Moreover, each bus is equipped with modern batteries that enable it to travel 200km when fully charged. “Therefore, buses can be electrically charged either through Pantograph using a standing arm under which the bus is parked at La Mer, or cables connecting direct and alternate currents (DC and AC),” the statement added. A night electric charger is provided at Al Quoz Bus Depot to run the night charging when the two buses are out of service,” explained RTA in a press release. “Buses are charged by a standing electric charger supplied by ABB Group at La Mer South. In this case, buses don't have to drive back to the depot to recharge. Opportunity charging describes the case when buses are not only recharged at the depot but also at charging stations throughout the network. RTA said the two buses are fitted with the novel opportunity charging technology, which is being experimented with in Dubai for the first time. The two buses will shuttle on a specific path in both directions between La Mer South, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Street and Al Sufouh Tram Station.