Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has received the first batch of 250 buses under a contract for the procurement of 735 multi-size buses that comply with the European Euro 6 low-carbon emissions standard.
The remaining buses are scheduled for delivery later this year.
The initial delivery includes 40 electric buses, marking the first large-scale introduction of electric buses into Dubai’s public transport fleet. This is the largest procurement of electric buses of its kind in the UAE to date.
Receiving 250 New Low-Carbon Emission Buses
© Roads and Transport Authority
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, inspected the Zhongtong electric bus, which will be operated on Dubai’s urban routes. The bus has been designed to suit local operating conditions and has a single-charge range of up to 280 kilometres, allowing it to complete daily operations without mid-day recharging. It is equipped with a 434-kilowatt-hour battery and supported by a 360-kilowatt ABB charging system.
During the inspection, Al Tayer was briefed on the technical specifications of the 12-metre bus, which can carry up to 70 passengers and includes a 360-degree camera system. The vehicle complies with international safety standards and features an advanced battery cooling system suitable for the UAE’s climate. It underwent testing and trial operations in Dubai for more than three months, with results indicating stable performance, efficient energy consumption, and reliable operation of safety systems such as braking, cooling and battery management.
The wider contract includes 549 city service buses, comprising 400 MAN buses and 149 Zhongtong buses, all meeting Euro 6 standards. It also covers 76 double-decker Volvo buses and 70 articulated Isuzu Anadolu buses to serve high-demand routes and expanding urban areas. These vehicles are classified as Class II under United Nations vehicle standards, allowing use on both urban and inter-urban routes.
Most of the new buses are equipped with driver monitoring systems, automated passenger counting, and driver identity authentication linked to RTA’s operating systems. Additional features include low-floor access, designated seating for children, spaces for bicycles, Wi-Fi connectivity, mobile phone charging points, and safety enhancements such as seat belts in family areas.
RTA has also adopted a national standardised fuel-consumption testing protocol for the new fleet, aimed at improving operational efficiency and supporting long-term financial and environmental sustainability. More
