Green technology to reduce pollution in Craiova
About this good practice
The Romanian city of Craiova has replaced old diesel buses with 16 electric buses of 18 metre-long. The articulated electric buses started their service in Craiova in January 2021. The city authorities opted for electric buses for the first time in their history, and the bus supplier will deliver charging devices to accompany the buses, both for overnight and fast pantograph charging.
The driveline in the articulated electric buses will consist of a 240 kW central motor. Each vehicle will be fitted with high energy batteries and will be recharged by means of an inverted pantograph.
Air-conditioned buses will offer WiFi access and a few USB charging ports where travellers will be able to recharge their mobile phones. The vehicles will also encompass a passenger information system and a monitoring system consisting of seven cameras improving safety and travel comfort. They will also feature passenger counting gates. Under the contract, the supplier is also responsible for the delivery of necessary charging infrastructure.
Resources needed
The purchase of the electric buses is based on a project financed by ROP 2014-2020 that implemented the SUMP measures for transport in Craiova. The total funding amount is 12M EUR for 16 electric buses, including the infrastructure of 20 charging units for buses.
Evidence of success
This is a good practice is because it eliminates the pollution (CO2 and noise) caused by the old diesel buses that were replaced by a new fleet of modern equipped buses that are also environment-friendly, attractive and encouraging more citizens to choose this type of transportation instead of older and polluting ones. Also, this practice made Craiova the first town in South-West Oltenia region of Romania using a substantial fleet of emission free electric buses in the public transport.
Potential for learning or transfer
This practice potentially interesting for other regions to learn from because it answers at least at two important aspects of everyday urban quality life: 1) it serves as a solution for reducing air pollution by removing old diesel buses and replacing them with new emissions free electric buses; 2) it raise de quality of the public transport service by offering new and modern equipped buses that are also environmental-friendly. In addition, it shows how the ROP 2014-2020 along with SUMPs may be utilized for the promotion of low carbon public transport. This GP has a real value in terms of learning and transfer to other regions in Europe. This is an innovative solution to mobility and pollution challenges that brings electro mobility to urban areas. Therefore, it can be potentially transferred to other regions facing similar challenges and interested in reducing GHG emission.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
Regional Development Agency South West