Dubai , January 19 ., 2026 :Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has taken a major step toward sustainable mobility with the arrival of 250 new buses, the first batch under a 735-bus procurement contract scheduled for completion in 2026. The fleet includes 40 electric buses, representing the largest and first-of-its-kind electric bus deployment in the UAE, and all vehicles comply with the Euro 6 European low-emissions standard.
The electric buses, manufactured by Zhongtong and tailored specifically for Dubai’s operating conditions, can travel up to 280 kilometres on a single charge and feature a 434 kWh battery supported by high-capacity fast chargers. Following more than three months of testing in real operating conditions, the buses demonstrated high energy efficiency, strong braking and cooling performance, and vehicle stability, achieving a 95% satisfaction rate among drivers and passengers.
According to RTA Director General Mattar Al Tayer, the new fleet supports Dubai’s vision for a sustainable, flexible and high-quality public transport system, in line with the directives of the UAE leadership, Dubai Urban Plan 2040, and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. The initiative also aligns with national climate objectives, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, and supports RTA’s Zero-Emission Public Transport Strategy, which aims to convert all public transport buses to electric and hydrogen power by 2050.
Beyond electric buses, the contract includes 549 city-service buses, 76 double-decker buses, and 70 articulated buses, expanding service coverage across high-density areas and newly developed districts. The fleet is equipped with advanced technologies such as driver behaviour monitoring systems, automated passenger counting, and driver identity authentication, enhancing safety, operational efficiency and fare compliance.
Designed with passenger comfort and accessibility in mind, the new buses feature low-floor entrances, dedicated spaces for People of Determination, seating for children, bicycle areas, Wi-Fi connectivity, mobile charging points, and modern interiors. A newly adopted national fuel-consumption testing standard, the first in the Gulf region, further improves environmental and financial sustainability, reinforcing RTA’s efforts to make public transport the preferred choice for daily mobility in Dubai.
