KMB’s electric bus service gets up and humming
The first trial will be along KMB's seven-kilometre route No2 between the Star Ferry Pier at Tsim Sha Tsui and So Uk Estate in Cheung Sha Wan. The bus will provide an extra service over the one-month trial period. The fare will remain the same.
The city's first battery-powered electric bus entered service yesterday to see if it is suitable for the hills, humidity and busy roads of Hong Kong.
The single-decker, built by mainland carmaker BYD, will be tested on several Kowloon Motor Bus routes in the next 12 months.
The first trial will be along KMB's seven-kilometre route No2 between the Star Ferry Pier at Tsim Sha Tsui and So Uk Estate in Cheung Sha Wan. The bus will provide an extra service over the one-month trial period. The fare will remain the same.
Video: Take a ride on what could be the city's answer to smoggy skies.
It has done 20,000 kilometres already, taking KMB staff to and from their office and depot. It has been modified to meet legal requirements and local specifications, including a low-platform design, facilities for the disabled and air conditioning. KMB expected it to be both comfortable and efficient, using one to two kilowatt-hours - or HK$2 worth of power - for every kilometre.
The firm dismissed safety fears prompted by an accident in Shenzhen last year in which an electric taxi crashed into a tree and caught fire, killing all three occupants. Also, earlier this year, a charging dock for BYD's E6 taxi in Hong Kong overheated.