Cape Town’s new R128 million electric MyCiTi buses can’t make it up the hill: report
According to a report by the Sunday Times, Cape Town councillors heard this week that the 11 buses – which form part of a R128 million pilot project – could not handle many of the inclines in the city. “The specifications called for battery-powered low-entry buses of 12m nominal length and a minimum range of 200km between charging, as well as depot charging equipment,” Reddy said.
Everyone knows electric motors have plenty of torque but you do need to clearly specify what problem needs to be solved and bid for. So if your planned route has 6.5% gradients in it, make sure those are specified so the solution is properly tested and demonstrated.
 |
Cape Town’s new R128 million electric buses can’t make it up the hill: report South Africa’s first electric buses are facing an uphill battle in Cape Town, after it emerged this week that they are unsuited for the city’s mountainous terrain. |