Luanda, the Angolan capital, is taking a significant step towards cleaner urban transport with the deployment of new electric buses. The 18 vehicles were purchased from Higer Bus Company Limited, a prominent manufacturer based in Suzhou, China, at a total cost of US$2.4 million, according to a media report.

This new fleet comprises fourteen full-sized buses, each with a capacity for 40 seats, alongside four mini-buses. The initiative in the Angolan capital is being spearheaded by Rosalina Express, a private public transport operator. 

Edgar Oseas, the chief executive officer of Rosalina Express, stated that the company’s long-term objective is to fully transition to electric mobility by progressively replacing its entire fleet of combustion-engine vehicles.

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The launch aligns with Angola’s national strategy to reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. It aims to partially achieve this by promoting a gradual shift to electric vehicles and encouraging private investment in charging infrastructure.

The supplier, Higer Bus Company Limited, was founded in 1998 and has developed into one of China’s leading bus manufacturers. The company operates a modern manufacturing base spanning 750,000 square-metres and reports annual sales surpassing 10 billion yuan (US$1.47 billion). 

Higer has an extensive international reach, exporting its buses to more than 150 countries and regions worldwide.