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The first electric passenger bus in the Middle East will soon be up and running after Masdar, a UAE-based renewable energy company teamed up with the Department of Transport (DoT), Abu Dhabi-based Hafilat Industry, and global technology heavyweight Siemens to revolutionize the Emirate’s mass public transport network.

The first bus to have come out of this joint effort will run between Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station and Marina Mall. There will be six stops along the fixed route.

Masdar has also announced that the eco-bus will be part of DoT’s existing fleet of buses, adding that the new eco-friendly electric bus will offer free rides to commuters till the end of the March.

Saying that the launch of this new service is “a milestone for the UAE in a number of ways,” Yousef Baselaib, Executive Director for Sustainable Real Estate at Masdar, said: “Helping the UAE deliver on its sustainability targets, including more environmentally friendly mobility solutions, is a key part of our mandate at Masdar and high on the agenda at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2019, which will showcase opportunities for further convergence of knowledge and technologies in the pursuit of cleaner and more energy-efficient transport.”

Jointly developed by Masdar, Siemens, and Hafilat Industry, the new eco bus can carry up to 30 passengers with travel distance per battery-charge of 150km. It will also have solar panels installed on the roof to power the vehicle’s auxiliary systems.