Minister of Transport and Communications HE Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti recently inaugurated the pilot electric bus charging station at Mowasalat (Karwa).
Also present during the inauguration is HE Hassan Abdulla Al Thawadi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy; HE Dr/Engineer Saad bin Ahmed Al Muhannadi, President of Public Works Authority (Ashghal) and Mowasalat (Karwa) Chairman; HE Engineer Essa bin Hilal Al Kuwari, President of Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA); and HE Zhou Jian, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the State of Qatar. A number of officials and representatives of the private sector were also there to attend the inauguration.
Eco-friendly buses
The inauguration follows the arrival of the first batch of eco-friendly buses, which will be used by Mowasalat (Karwa) as part of its transport system. It will complement the strategy prepared by MOTC in collaboration with concerned authorities, aimed to support the state’s progress towards a green future.
READ ALSO: Ashghal to Instal Chargers, Inverters at 41 Charging Stations for Electric Buses
Achieving economic and environmental balance ensures the sustainability of transportation infrastructure projects, as well as the development of transportation through the use of alternative and clean energy in accordance with the latest eco-friendly systems to reduce harmful carbon emissions, providing a clean, healthy and safe environment for future generations.
These developments come as Mowasalat (Karwa), under the supervision of MOTC, leads the way for the roll-out of electric infrastructure to cater to the public fleet requirements and the expected rise in electric vehicle demand.
On this occasion, Minister Al Sulaiti said that the test operation of the Mowasalat (Karwa) electric bus charging station represents an important step in implementing the Electric Vehicle Strategy, which is a key part of Qatar’s public transportation plan 2030.
Today’s launch, he added, coincides with the arrival in Doha of the first batch of electric buses that will be serving the public transit plans for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, thus supporting the hosting of an exceptional, eco-friendly, carbon-neutral championship.
The Public Bus Infrastructure Program that MOTC is currently developing in cooperation with Ashghal is making significant strides in relation to bus warehouses and stations, in addition to finalising the construction works of the Park and Ride parking spaces – of which two have been inaugurated in Al Qassar and Al Wakra. The other two, located in Lusail and Education City, will open to the public soon.
Lusail Station
The largest electric charging station of the region currently being constructed in Lusail City operates on solar energy and is connected with all stations. High-efficiency solar cell shades will be built as the source of solar energy, one important source of renewable energy that provides clean energy.
The new electrical bus fleet will first be used at major international events during this year and next year, and from 2023 for public and school transport as well as for corporate transport contracts. Plans are in place for Mowasalat (Karwa) to also replace the conventional Karwa Taxis with electric vehicles in the future.
The electric buses are fully customised to handle the demands of street and weather conditions in Qatar and are equipped with a 350-kWh lithium-ion battery, the latest and safest proven battery technology in the automotive industry, with an average reach of more than 200-km per full charge. Strict compliance with the most comprehensive safety standards and a local inspection process ensures that the technical and operational aspects are following all of Qatar’s regulations.
Mowasalat (Karwa) invests heavily to reduce carbon emissions from its conventional fleet, improving the quality of Qatar’s climate and supporting Qatar’s transition away from a hydrocarbon-based economy and towards a greener future.
READ ALSO: KAHRAMAA Instals 19th – and Fastest – EV Charging Station in Qatar
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