The University of Johannesburg plans to add a total of 17 electric buses by 2028 to replace its current diesel fleet. 

The university is ramping up its plans to contribute toward making South Africa a green economy through a reduction of carbon emissions and a lower reliance on fossil fuels, which is in line with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The university unveiled two new electric buses to transport students between its four campuses. During the next three years, the university plans to acquire 12 more buses, with four procured each year. This will completely phase out its current diesel fleet.

The buses can transport 57 students seated and 19 standing and cover a distance of up to 400 km before requiring a recharge. Currently, they use the local Starbus terminals as a charging point, but the university plans to build a power plant on campus.

“Our buses are running day in, day out, ensuring that our students are never late for lectures,” said Dr Mpoti Ralephata, UJ’s Chief Executive Officer, in a statement. “We have already embarked on plans to increase our solar capacity so that we can compensate for all the Eskom power that we’re using at the moment to charge the buses.”