- Mauritius’ Prime Minister has launched NTC’s first electric bus.
- Mauritius is also implementing a 10-year roadmap to integrate EVs in the country.
Mauritius’ Prime Minister, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, has launched the first electric bus of the National Transport Corporation (NTC) in Port-Louis. The Prime Minister stated that the launch of the electric bus would usher in a modern, safe and environmentally-friendly transport system in the country. NTC is Mauritius’ largest bus company with a fleet of 513 buses operating on 97 routes. The NTC has an average daily ridership of 130,000 passengers.
Mauritius’s government has set a green target and is currently implementing policies to meet them. The country plans to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels (increase renewable energy contribution to the energy mix to 60%) and reduce GHG by 40% by 2030. The Prime Minister noted that introducing the electric bus will enable the NTC to reduce its carbon footprint and modernise its services. “This first electric bus will be used to test the operational capability and reliability of electric bus on the NTC route network, to acquire knowledge on operational and maintenance infrastructural requirements, battery charging needs and driving skill requirements before investing in more electric buses for the future,” Mr Jugnauth stated.
The Prime Minister also noted the need to train employees and equip them with the skills needed to adapt to a modernised transportation system. He also stated that the government is looking to implement a 10-year Roadmap to integrate electric vehicles in public and private sectors in Mauritius.