Green buses take first runs

The first batch of 40 passenger buses at the World Expo site, running on a variety of green energy sources, began test operations on April 15. [en.expo2010.cn]

The first batch of 40 passenger buses at the World Expo site, running on a variety of green energy sources, began test operations on April 15.

The buses began running across the Expo site, carrying heavy sandbags and running air conditioners to simulate conditions during the Expo, under the direction of China's Science and Technology Minister Wan Gang.

The vehicles can travel about 1,000 kilometers after being charged for eight hours.

A total of 1,017 clean-energy passenger buses will carry visitors, VIPs and workers around the Expo site.

For example:

Thirty-six supercapacitor and six fuel-cell buses will run routes for Asian, European, African participants in the Pudong side of the site.

Some 120 electric buses will shuttle between the two sides of the Huangpu River through the Xizang Road S. Tunnel.

About 70 fuel-cell cars will serve VIPs.

More than 100 electric 11-seat golf-cart-like vehicles will transport visitors mainly on the elevated pedestrian paths that link the pavilions.