KPTC’s electric buses could take Kuwait closer to its climate goals

KPTC’s electric buses could take Kuwait closer to its climate goals

By Nebal Snan

KUWAIT: Electric buses could take Kuwait one step closer to achieving its climate goals, but some changes are needed to ensure they meet their intended objective, experts say. The first batch of buses, produced by Chinese bus manufacturer King Long, joined the fleet of Kuwait Public Transport Company (KPTC) last December and is expected to hit the road in January. KPTC CEO Mansour Abdul Mohsen Al-Saad told media that the company plans to operate more electric buses in the future.

Speaking to the Kuwait Times, Secretary General of the Kuwaiti Environmental Protection Society Jenan Bahzad said the buses are Kuwait’s hope for reducing air and noise pollution. According to a 2017 evaluation of carbon emissions in the country, road transportation constituted the third biggest source of air pollution at 16.6 percent. The top source was power stations and water at 41.6 percent, followed by chemicals such as fertilizers and asphalt at 25.5 percent.

Bahzad highlighted the positive effects resulting from easing off fossil fuels, including drop in incidences of respiratory diseases. But she said it takes a lot more than purchasing new vehicles for us to reap the benefits. Bahzad singled out the need for infrastructure to support the technology and