Dubai RTA Receives First 250 Low-Emission Buses in Electric Rollout
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has received the first batch of 250 buses under a wider contract to procure 735 multi-size buses compliant with the Euro 6 low-carbon emissions standard. As a result, the emirate is expanding its public transport fleet to support growing demand.
Notably, the first delivery includes 40 electric buses. In fact, this marks the largest electric bus procurement in the UAE to date and the first time electric buses will operate on Dubai’s urban routes.
Meanwhile, the remaining buses under the contract will arrive later in 2026, the authority said. Additionally, RTA DG and chairman Mattar Al Tayer inspected the Zhongtong electric bus, which has been customised for Dubai’s operating conditions.
Electric bus capacity, range, and testing results
The 12-metre bus has a range of up to 280 kilometres on a single charge. Therefore, it can complete daily operations without returning to depots for recharging.
It comes equipped with a 434 kilowatt-hour battery and uses a 360 kilowatt ABB charging system. Moreover, it can carry up to 70 passengers and includes a 360-degree camera system.
The bus underwent more than three months of testing in Dubai. During the trials, performance remained stable, energy use stayed efficient, and safety systems operated reliably. In particular, testing covered battery cooling, braking, and air conditioning.
The authority said the trials resulted in a 95 per cent satisfaction rate among drivers and passengers.
Al Tayer said the procurement supports Dubai’s broader strategy to expand sustainable public transport and accommodate rising ridership, in line with the Dubai Urban Plan 2040 and national climate objectives.
More buses, smarter tech, and long-term sustainability goals
Al Tayer said the number of electric buses operating across the emirate would increase gradually. Furthermore, he linked the expansion to the UAE’s goal to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33, which aims to strengthen the emirate’s position as a global urban economy.
The procurement also supports the authority’s Zero-Emission Public Transport Strategy 2050. As a result, the plan targets converting all buses, taxis, and limousine vehicles to zero-emission operations, with public transport buses shifting fully to electric and hydrogen power by mid-century.
Beyond the electric fleet, the contract includes 549 city-service buses. Specifically, these include 400 MAN buses and 149 Zhongtong buses, all fitted with Euro 6 engines.
In addition, it covers 76 Volvo double-decker buses and 70 articulated Isuzu Anadolu buses. Consequently, the new vehicles will help serve high-density routes and newly developed areas.
Most of the new buses include driver behaviour monitoring systems, automated passenger counting, and driver identity authentication technology, the authority said. Moreover, the buses feature low-floor access for passengers with disabilities, dedicated seating for children, bicycle spaces, Wi-Fi, mobile phone charging points, and layouts designed to improve comfort.
Finally, the authority said it has adopted a standardised fuel-consumption testing protocol, the first of its kind in the Gulf region. This will help improve operational efficiency and environmental performance.
