Global Electric Bus Fleets Expand with New Deals and Infrastructure

Post by : Meena Rani

Partnerships and funding announcements over the last week are accelerating the growth of electric bus fleets worldwide. Unlike some heavy-duty vehicles, bus electrification is relatively straightforward due to fixed routes and schedules.

Cape Town Depot Upgrade

In South Africa, Autel Energy announced that its MaxiCharger DC Fast technology will electrify Cape Town’s bus fleet. The company will install 50 new charging units at the Arrowgate Depot, which already has 30 units, supporting 120 electric buses. This marks South Africa’s largest public EV bus charging hub.

UK Expands Electric Fleet

Equipmake, a UK technology firm, signed a £5.45 million (US$7.35 million) deal with Brazilian manufacturer Agrale SA to supply electric drivetrains for 50 buses. This follows an initial August 2024 order for five zero-emission drivetrains. The delivery will continue in batches until mid-2026.

Meanwhile, First Bus and Norfolk County Council are adding 24 electric double-decker buses to Norfolk, UK. With a £13.8 million investment, two depots—Caister Road in Great Yarmouth and Vulcan Road in Norwich—will be upgraded to support 10 and 14 e-buses respectively.

India Doubling Delhi’s E-Bus Fleet

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta pledged to double the city’s electric bus fleet, currently at 3,000 units. Construction has begun on a new depot featuring 84 charging stations, part of Delhi’s vision for improved transport and last-mile connectivity.

EBRD Supports Egypt’s Inter-City E-Buses

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) provided a €10.6 million (US$12.4 million) loan to Egypt’s Go Bus for Transport, enabling the acquisition of 30 new buses, six electric micro-buses, and three other EVs. The European Union is backing the project with 10% first-loss risk cover.

Additionally, €60 million has been committed by EBRD for 600 EV chargepoints across Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, due by 2027.

Morocco Orders 723 Buses from China

Yutong Bus will deliver 723 buses to Morocco as part of the country’s urban transport upgrade plan. The first batch has been completed, with upgrades tailored to local conditions through collaboration with Tractafric Motors Corporation. Morocco aims to boost local bus manufacturing through bulk procurement.

From South Africa to India, the UK, Egypt, and Morocco, investments and partnerships are accelerating the global electrification of bus fleets. Governments, private companies, and financial institutions are supporting charging infrastructure, vehicle supply, and fleet expansion, marking a significant shift toward sustainable public transport.

Electric buses, EV fleet, bus electrification, Autel Energy, Equipmake