Electric buses to be rolled out in Cape Town

Johannesburg - The City of Cape Town on Sunday said electric-powered buses would be rolled out next year as part of its MyCiTi services.

"Apart from lowering our carbon emissions, local residents will also benefit from this contract through job opportunities," said Mayor Patricia de Lille in a statement.

She said that a tender had been awarded for the purchase of 10 electric vehicles.  

A stipulation was made that the buses be assembled locally and that the bus bodies in part also be manufactured locally.

"The contractor will be employing local staff and will have to source some of the bus components from local suppliers.

"This would be the first time that electric buses are manufactured and assembled in Cape Town," said De Lille.

The City planned to take delivery of the buses next June.