The first batch of 60 marine-themed electric buses went into operation along Zhuhai Routes 3, 7, and 11 on July 11. Another 240 are to be added this month and, by November there will be 2,098 operating buses in the city powered by electricity.

Buses lengthened to 10.8 m (35.4 ft) have a gently curved head like a dolphin's. They outperform earlier models in quality, safety, and comfort and produce zero pollution or noise, having been improved in response to residents' requirements.

Zhuhai pursued cleaner urban public transportation by phasing out traditional buses and replacing them with 945 pure-electric vehicles over the past two years. An additional 1.8 billion yuan ($282 million) will be spent this year to replace 1,153 vehicles that rely on diesel and liquefied natural gas.

Some new-energy buses that are to be replaced will be kept on standby in good condition for emergency use, according to Jiang Moping, general manager of Zhuhai Public Transportation Group.

There currently are 14 charging stations and 121 charging piles in the city. The company plans to increase those numbers to 73 and 933.

Marine elements on Zhuhai's new electric buses [Photo by Zhong Fan / Zhuhai Daily]