Chinese electric bus manufacturer Zhengzhou Yutong Bus has received an order for 1,002 buses from Mowasalat, the Qatar public transport company, to provide commuting services for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Importantly, 741 of the buses ordered will be electric, making it the largest order of EV buses ever.
This is not the first time that Yutong Bus has supported a major international sporting event, having provided service and support for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, as well as multiple international conferences such as APEC meetings.
However, the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup will be the first to adopt such a large number of electric buses, making it a milestone event for both companies and the World Cup itself.
Yutong Bus also signed a framework agreement with QFZA and Mowasalat to establish a KD bus class factory in Qatar in support of the local government’s continued efforts to promote the development of its electric bus infrastructure.
“Yutong Bus will continue to work closely with local partners to accelerate the public transportation system build-up with green energy solution,” said Shen Hui, GM of Yutong Bus in Middle East.
“The KD factory for EV buses with Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA) and Mowasalat will realize localized design and manufacturing of EV buses in Qatar, offering more experience and technologies to aid the sustainable development of local public transportation.”
Yutong Bus bills itself as a leader in electric buses and has figures to back up its claims, having sold over 130,000 new energy buses to more than 350 cities and 24 countries including Australia, France, Great Britain, Chile, and Denmark.
Exactly what model buses Yutong Bus will provide to Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup is uncertain, but the company currently boasts three electric bus models including two commuter buses and a coach bus.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.