Qingdao bus lines 316 and 31 now feature Sunwin electric buses, adding to the city’s electric bus network, which includes some of the vehicles on routes 2 and 5 in old town. Qingdao’s Bandao (Peninsula/半岛) News reports that the first group of buses are on a trial run in preparation for a future switch to increased use of the zero emission transport. The buses were made by Sunwin, a Volvo Shanghai JV company. They are being tested for their adaptability to Qingdao’s hilly terrain and coastal climate. Low noise and reduced energy costs are two more reported benefits of the electric buses, which can go between 90 and 120 km on a full charge. The battery life is said to be about 3 years, based on an estimated 1500 recharges.

Qingdao bus lines 316 and 31 now feature electric buses, adding to the city’s electric bus network, which includes routes 2 and 5 in old town.

Sunwin eco-friendly buses were previously used at the Shanghai Expo and are wheelchair accessible, with an adjustable chassis that also moves up or down to accommodate weather conditions such as rain, thereby avoiding excess water splash into the carriage. The vehicles are touted as completely safe from danger of electrocution risk. A new commercial electric bus power station (China’s first) is in Xuejiadao (Huangdao Kaifaqu Development Zone) in further infrastructure development of the electric transport industry. Electric buses service the route linking the development zone with Qingdao city proper through the Xuejiadao-Qingdao tunnel.

Relevant Links:
Bandao (Peninsula/半岛) News
Da Zhong (大众) Online
China’s First Electric Bus Power Station
Sunwin Volvo Buses at Shanghai Expo
The Expo’s Softly Whirring Fleet of Electric Vehicles

Image Credit @ Bandao