Uruguay’s first electric bus for tourism was presented today in a ceremony led by President José Mujica. Mujica was accompanied by the Minister for Industry, Energy, and Mining, Roberto Kreimerman, and Minister of Tourism and Sports Liliam Kechichián.
The cutting edge vehicle, manufactured by Chinese company BYD and known locally as La Huella Verde (The Green Track) is being put on the road by Colonia-based transport and tourism company Buquebus.
It will first be used to run a city circuit in Colonia, and as more vehicles join the fleet they will be put on a route to Montevideo, later to be extended to the beach resort of Punta del Este.
The initiative calls for investment in between three and five solar plants to recharge the buses, located in Montevideo, Colonia, and Punta del Este. These vehicles can travel up to 250km on a single charge in urban areas, with energy consumption of less than 130 kilowatts per 100 kilometers.
Fonts: Presidencia
