The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has allocated $1.22mn to support the introduction of electric buses in Tashkent's public transport system. The funds, provided by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), will help cover a portion of the costs of electric buses purchased by Toshshahartranskhizmat, the company responsible for public transportation in Tashkent.
This initiative is part of the broader Tashkent - Accelerating Investments in Low Emission Vehicles (TAILEV) project, aimed at promoting environmentally friendly public transport and improving infrastructure in the city. Akiko Fujii, the UNDP's Permanent Representative in Uzbekistan, met with the Minister of Transport to discuss the progress of the project. During her visit, Fujii toured the 8th Bus Depot, where she observed the city's fleet of electric buses and their charging infrastructure.
Currently, Toshshahartranskhizmat operates over 2,000 buses. Of these, 17% run on electricity, 50% on natural gas, and 33% on diesel. In recent years, the city has made strides in reducing emissions. In 2022, harmful emissions from buses totaled 5,100 tons, which was reduced to 4,800 tons in 2023. Looking ahead, Tashkent plans to purchase an additional 1,200 electric buses between 2024 and 2030, further transitioning its fleet to cleaner energy sources like electricity and natural gas.
This commitment to low-carbon transportation aligns with recent efforts by the Uzbek government to collaborate with international partners. In September 2023, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with Wang Chuanfu, President and Founder of China’s BYD, one of the world’s leading electric vehicle manufacturers. The discussion focused on expanding BYD’s operations in Uzbekistan, particularly the production of hybrid and electric vehicles in the Jizzakh region, with the goal of increasing production capacity to 300,000 units.
In mid-October, the Tashkent administration signed a framework agreement with BYD to purchase 2,000 electric buses, marking a step toward a cleaner, more sustainable urban transport system.
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