Dubai tries out first-ever hydrogen bus in more sustainable public transport options

Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority has unveiled an initiative that could take people’s minds off concerns over traffic, petrol prices and carbon emissions. The RTA has announced they are introducing the first-ever hydrogen bus to the UAE megacity.

The initiative is part of RTA’s efforts to ensure more sustainable, eco-friendly public transport. It is being brought in on an initial trial basis and tested out in Dubai’s climate and operational conditions. If the trial is successful, it could result in a broader rollout of the bus.

#RTA has signed an agreement with Swaidan Trading Company to trial an eco-friendly hydrogen bus in Dubai's climate and operational conditions. The agreement was signed by Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA's Public Transport Agency, and Swaidan Al Naboodah, Managing Director of… pic.twitter.com/RPxkZY1y7f

— RTA (@rta_dubai) June 24, 2024

Dubai’s carbon footprint and net-zero goals in focus

Hydrogen vehicles use hydrogen to keep themselves running, emitting just water vapour in the process. They are a much more eco-friendly form of transport and can play a significant role in managing Dubai’s carbon footprint and achieving net zero goals.

The Road and Transport Authority and leading bus supplier Swaidan Trading Company have signed an agreement. The experiment involves testing the challenges and opportunities related to the production and supply of hydrogen fuel in Dubai.

Once the trial has been completed then the city can have a better idea of whether the hydrogen bus will be able to operate sustainably in the intense climate and become a part of Dubai’s environmental mass transport system.

Hydrogen bus trial setting sustainability milestones

“These buses represent a sustainable future for transportation in terms of technology and environmental impact, as they rely on hydrogen as a fuel source for long-distance travel,” said Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, the chief executive of RTA’s public transport agency.

He highlighted some of the unique properties of hydrogen, such as it being lightweight and having three times the energy density of diesel fuel and producing no harmful emissions. Keep an eye out on the Gulf Independent for more updates.