Sri Lanka to import hybrid buses from China

Colombo: Sri Lanka had a talk with China to import hybrid buses to upgrade the island’s public transport sector, according to a report published in media. State Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Ashoka Abeysinghe said that he was in discussions with Chinese companies which manufacture hydrogen powered buses and hybrid buses and the procurement plan to purchase the buses had been finalized, Xinhua news agency reported. The minister said he hopes to expedite the process and open the tenders in the coming 28 weeks. “I went to China a couple of months ago and visited the Chinese companies... We are looking at hybrid buses as we do not have enough charging stations for electric buses,” Abeysinghe added. Sri Lanka is looking to boost its public transport infrastructure, particularly in Colombo, amid rising tourist numbers and increased road congestion. (IANS)

Sri Lanka is looking to boost its public transport infrastructure, particularly in Colombo, amid rising tourist numbers and increased road congestion.

According to a survey conducted by the government it is estimated that by 2030 more than 60 per cent of the island's population will depend on public transport to travel to the capital. A hybrid electric bus combines a conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an electric propulsion system. These type of busesnormally use a Diesel-electric powertrain and are also known as hybrid Diesel-electric buses.

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