€40 million in EU funds has been set aside to be invested into turning Malta’s public transport fleet all-electric, Transport Minister Ian Borg announced on Monday.
A pilot project involving the installation of solar panels on the roof of buses owned by Zarb Coaches in tandem with Malta Public Transport was announced on Monday, as the government aims to the Malta’s public transport fleet in a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly direction.
Speaking at the press conference, Borg said that like they had introduced the concept of contactless payments onboard busses some months ago and announced a pilot project for autonomous buses, this pilot project is another ambitious one.
The project will see solar panels installed on top of buses with the aim of generating solar energy and contributing to cleaner air.
So far, panels have been installed on two Malta Public Transport buses.
The project will see a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and will reduce diesel consumption by 8 to 10% per year, Borg said.
The 800Wp panels are expected to produce 1000kWh per year, wherein a litre of diesel will be saved for every kWh generated – which in turn reduced 2.68kg of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for every litre.
This means that 1,000 litres of diesel are expected to be saved, amounting to a decrease of 2,680kg of carbon dioxide emissions.
Zarb Coaches meanwhile is carrying out a study about PHI Cell Technology, which will see devices installed inside their vehicles with the aim of purifying both the air and the insides of the vehicle.