30 electric buses made in China have successfully arrived in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, provided by the China bus manufacturer Higer Bus. These electric buses will be put into commercial service, providing convenient transportation for Pakistani citizens.

 

According to the latest report from Pakistan's Dawn newspaper, the 30 electric buses have arrived in Islamabad and are set up with charging points at the Jinnah Convention Center. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) plans to deploy these buses on two routes: one starting from NUST and heading to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), with 13 stops along the way; the other starting from PIMS and ending at Bari Imam. The electric bus service in Islamabad will operate from 6 am to 10 pm, and individuals with disabilities, students, and certain other groups will enjoy subsidized rides.

 

These electric buses are part of a fleet of 160 "high-end" electric buses shipped by Higer Bus from China Suzhou Industrial Park to Pakistan on January 5, with a total value of over 150 million yuan (approximately 19 million euros). This is the first large-scale introduction of electric buses in Pakistan, marking a significant step forward in the country's public transportation sector.

 

The Higer electric buses feature a traditional low-floor single-deck design. While they may not have the futuristic appearance of some high-tech articulated electric buses in Europe, they are still fully functional and practical ten-meter-class buses. With a ceiling height of 2.3 meters, 24 seats, and two folding seats next to the wheelchair area, Higer Bus claims that they can comfortably accommodate over 45 passengers.

 

Although Higer Bus has not disclosed all the technical specifications of these electric buses in detail, they stated that the maximum driving range of these buses exceeds 250 kilometers. In addition, the buses also feature a cathodic electrophoresis coating to protect them from corrosion for more than ten years.

 

Meanwhile, LED headlights, long strip LED roof lights, three large destination signs (located at the front, middle, and rear), and a T-BOX system for monitoring driver behavior and vehicle data are among the highlights of these electric buses.

 

Since entering the Pakistani market in 2006, Higer Bus has established a considerable market base. In 2022, the company sold 250 hybrid buses in Pakistan, and this order of 160 electric buses is undoubtedly an even more significant milestone, further consolidating its position in Pakistan's public transportation sector.