Otis Singleton
The world's first electric bus was introduced in London, UK, in July 1907. The London Electrobus Company ran the first-ever service of battery-electric buses between London's Victoria Station and Liverpool Street. However, the weight and inefficiency of batteries meant that other propulsion technologies, such as diesel buses, became more popular. In the 1970s, MAN Truck & Bus built its first electric bus, and in 2011, Shenzhen, China, became the first city to heavily invest in electric buses, with the goal of having a fully electric fleet. Today, electric buses are becoming more common, with many cities transitioning their fleets to electric models.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 13 February 1970 |
| Company | MAN |
| Model | 750 HO-M10 E |
| Passenger Capacity | 99 |
| Range | 50 km |
| First Tested | Munich and Koblenz |
| First Regular Service | January 1971, Route 7 in Koblenz |
| First Electric Buses | London, July 1907 |
| First Electric Bus Chassis | Scania-Vabis, 1940 |
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What You'll Learn
The first electric bus in London, UK was in 1907
The world's first electric buses were introduced in London, UK, in July 1907. The London Electrobus Company operated these buses between Victoria Station and Liverpool Street. These electrobuses were clean, quiet, reliable, and fume-free, in stark contrast to the petrol-powered buses of the time, which were notorious for their deafening noise and unpleasant odours. The electric buses were an instant hit with London commuters, and the media enthusiastically welcomed the prospect of challenging the internal combustion engine.
The London Electrobus Company was founded in 1906 with an initial fleet of 20 buses. Unfortunately, the company was a victim of fraud, leading to its demise just a few years after its inception. It was not the failure of electric bus technology but a scam that caused the company's closure. The company listed its shares on the stock market in April 1906, raising £120,000. However, within days, they refunded £80,000 due to concerns about the company's management. The scandal involved a grossly overpriced order for 50 electric buses and an unnecessary patent payment of £20,000.
The electric buses themselves were quite successful and significantly more reliable than petrol buses. Interestingly, even after the London company closed, the electric buses continued to operate for six years in Brighton, demonstrating the viability of the technology even a century ago. The failure of this early attempt to introduce electric buses to London had far-reaching consequences, delaying the widespread adoption of electric vehicles for over a hundred years.
The first city to successfully adopt electric buses on a large scale was Shenzhen, China, starting in 2011. By 2017, Shenzhen had replaced its entire fleet of over 16,300 buses with electric buses, becoming the largest electric bus fleet in the world. China has dominated the electric bus market, accounting for 99% of the 385,000 electric buses on roads worldwide in 2017.
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MAN's first electric bus was in 1970
The German company MAN Truck & Bus unveiled its first electric bus in 1970. The 750 HO-M10 E model was presented to the press on February 13, 1970, following two years of development. The bus was designed to address the growing issue of air pollution and noise in inner cities. It had a range of 50 kilometres and could carry 99 passengers.
In 1972, during the Munich Olympics, athletes were transported in two electric and eight natural gas buses provided by MAN. The electric buses showcased MAN's early commitment to sustainability and alternative energy sources.
Five decades later, in 2020, MAN launched the MAN Lion's City E, a fully electric series vehicle. This launch demonstrated the company's continued focus on e-mobility and innovation in the transportation industry.
While the MAN Lion's City E is MAN's first electric coach, the company has been selling a more pedestrian electric bus for urban and intercity use since 2019. Additionally, MAN has been offering hybrid drives and engines that operate with natural gas, further contributing to sustainable mobility solutions.
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Shenzhen, China had the largest electric bus fleet in 2017
The history of electric buses dates back over a century, with the first battery electric bus service launched in London in 1907. However, due to the weight and inefficiency of early batteries, electric trolleybuses and diesel buses became more commonplace. In the 21st century, growing concerns about urban air quality and pollution in China led to the introduction of modern battery electric buses on a large scale. Shenzhen, China, played a pivotal role in this transition.
Shenzhen, a southeastern city in China connecting Hong Kong to the mainland, embarked on an ambitious plan to electrify its entire bus fleet. By 2017, Shenzhen had successfully replaced its entire fleet of over 16,000 buses with electric buses, becoming the largest electric bus fleet in the world. This achievement highlighted the feasibility and benefits of electrifying bus fleets for cities globally.
Several factors contributed to Shenzhen's success in building the largest electric bus fleet. Firstly, the city received strong support and funding from the local and national government. Policy incentives and subsidies helped close the cost gap between electric buses and conventional diesel buses. Bus operators in Shenzhen also adopted a leasing model, reducing upfront investments and the need for debt financing.
Another critical factor was the strategic infrastructure and asset allocation. Shenzhen optimised its operations and charging infrastructure to minimise additional costs associated with electric buses. The city furnished most bus routes with charging stations and adopted electric bus models with longer driving ranges, ensuring that recharging did not disrupt bus services.
Shenzhen's experience demonstrated that electrifying bus fleets could be cost-effective. Despite the higher upfront costs of electric bus units, the city optimised its operations to almost entirely wipe out additional expenses. This included reducing the need for more buses due to shorter driving ranges and recharging requirements.
The success of Shenzhen's bus electrification project had a significant impact on the environment and air quality. The city met its air quality improvement goals in 2016 and 2017, showcasing the benefits of reducing transport emissions. Diesel buses may comprise a small percentage of a city's total vehicle fleet, but they contribute disproportionately to pollution due to their longer operation and higher mileage.
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Transjakarta ordered 3 electric buses in 2022
The history of electric buses dates back over a century, with the first electric bus delivered in Stockholm, Sweden, between 1940 and 1951. Produced by Scania-Vabis in partnership with ASEA and Hägglund & Söner, these early electric buses helped pave the way for the development of modern electric bus systems.
In more recent times, Transjakarta has joined the global shift towards electrification by ordering three electric buses in June 2022. This move aligns with their goal to replace their aging fleet with newer, environmentally friendly alternatives. The chosen models for this order were the SAG, Zhongtong, and Skywell buses, showcasing the diversity of electric bus options available today.
Transjakarta's decision to electrify their fleet is part of a broader initiative to improve air quality in Jakarta. With a target of 100 electric buses set for 2022, Transjakarta aims to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional internal combustion engines. This initiative is supported by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and its partners, who are assisting in replacing the city's fleet of 10,000 buses with electric alternatives.
As of 2022, Transjakarta has 52 electric buses in operation, with plans to add 190 more in 2023. This expansion will bring their total number of electric buses to 220, significantly contributing to the city's efforts to improve air quality and encourage the use of public transportation. The provincial government of Jakarta is also doing its part by procuring electric vehicles, including 120 electric motorcycles for operational purposes.
The transition to electric buses by Transjakarta is a step towards a more sustainable future for Jakarta. By reducing the reliance on diesel and other fossil fuels, they are not only improving local air quality but also contributing to the global efforts to combat climate change. This shift demonstrates the feasibility and benefits of adopting electric vehicle technology in public transportation systems.
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Vancouver has had electric buses since 1948
The adoption of electric buses in Vancouver was influenced by the city's experience during World War II. With personal vehicle use restricted, there was an increased reliance on the streetcar system and motor buses operated by the British Columbia Electric Railway Company (BCER). However, by the end of the war, this transit system was in need of either reconstruction or replacement. A trial of a Seattle trolley bus in December 1945 showcased the benefits of this technology: it was quiet, emission-free, and capable of handling hilly terrain.
Over the years, Vancouver's electric bus fleet grew rapidly. By 1953, the trolley bus system had expanded to 16 routes, and by 1955, there were 327 electric trolley buses operating on 19 routes, making it the largest trolley bus fleet in Canada at the time. Despite some trolley services converting to diesel operations in the 1960s, rising fuel prices during the 1970s highlighted the advantages of locally generated electric power.
Today, Vancouver has the second-largest trolley bus fleet in North America and is the only Canadian city to operate these iconic buses. TransLink, the public transit agency in Vancouver, currently operates 260 electric buses, serving 13 routes in Vancouver and Burnaby. The city's commitment to electric buses has contributed to its clean energy goals, with just over half of the kilometres logged by passengers on TransLink buses being zero-emission.
As a side note, the first electric buses in history were introduced even earlier, with the first electric bus delivered to Stockholm in 1940 and the first service of battery electric buses in London in 1907. However, due to the weight and inefficiency of early batteries, other propulsion technologies like electric trolleybuses or diesel buses became more commonplace. The first modern electric buses were introduced in China, with Shenzhen becoming the first city with a fully electric bus fleet by 2017. Other cities around the world, including Auckland, Buenos Aires, Melbourne, Montreal, New York City, Tehran, and Toronto, have also begun adopting electric buses in recent years.
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Frequently asked questions
The first electric bus was made in 1907 and operated in London, UK.
The London Electrobus Company was the first company to operate a battery-electric bus service.
The first electric bus model was likely the 750 HO-M10 E, made by MAN Truck & Bus.
The first electric bus was made in Germany.
The first electric bus in Sweden was delivered in 1940, and Vancouver, Canada, has been operating electric buses since 1948. In 2011, Shenzhen, China, became the first city to heavily invest in electric buses, and by 2017, it had the largest fleet of electric buses in the world. India launched its first intra-city e-bus in 2014, and its first indigenous e-bus was unveiled in 2016.
