ZHODINO, 28 March (BelTA) – The Belarusian city of Zhodino has the necessary infrastructure to successfully operate electric vehicles as part of the mass transit system, BelTA learned from Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Piotr Parkhomchik.
New passenger electrobuses will be put to use in Zhodino. A solemn ceremony to hand over 14 modern MAZ 303E electrobuses to the local mass transit company took place in the city on 28 March. The electrobuses are powered by 285kWh accumulators located on the roof to increase the seating capacity as much as possible. The autonomous travel range is 250km. The total passenger-carrying capacity is 66 people. The vehicles are fitted with air conditioning in the passenger compartment and a microclimate system in the driver’s cab. The passenger compartment also has CCTV cameras, an information system with an indicator panel, and USB ports for charging various kinds of devices and gadgets.
Diesel buses used inside the city are supposed to be replaced with electrobuses as part of a pilot project. “The pilot project envisaged the resolution of all issues relating to the infrastructure. Clear instructions were given to industry-specific ministries so that everyone could deal with their issues. The Energy Ministry took care of providing the necessary power grid capacity. The city arranged the relevant tender and bought the necessary charging stations. We supplied not only electrobuses but all the necessary infrastructure that will enable successful operation of these vehicles,” Piotr Parkhomchik said.
“It is the first project of the kind in Belarus. And it is very important for us to get raw data in the course of operating these vehicles. It is important to establish a dialogue with those, who drive these vehicles today, and with those, who make them. They need to constantly stay in touch in order to respond fast and deal with emerging issues,” the deputy prime minister noted.
Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Piotr Parkhomchik, Industry Minister Aleksandr Rogozhnik, Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich, Deputy Chairman of the Minsk Oblast Executive Committee Viktor Ragussky, Director General of OAO MAZ, managing company of the holding company BelavtoMAZ Valery Ivankovich, Director General of the Minsk Oblast mass transit operator OAO Minskoblavtotrans Sergei Matsukov took part in the ceremony. Piotr Parkhomchik thanked all participants of the pilot project.
