A double-deck KMB ebus rolls out during a trial run in Kwun Tong on July 27, 2023. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

Kowloon Motor Bus Company on Thursday announced that it will put its first batch of double-decker electric buses into service in Hong Kong on Sunday. The company now operates a fleet of about 80 electric buses -- one of the largest in the city.

The first double-decker electric bus will commence service between On Tai Bus Terminus and Lam Tin Station in the Anderson Road Development Area. Using the same “electric green” design as the 16 single-decker electric buses that were put into operation last year, the double-decker vehicle can carry 115 passengers, and can be fully charged in 2 hours.

With the increased use of electric buses, KMB is building new charging facilities and will invest HK$2 billion ($256 million) for two new energy bus depots at Tuen Mun and Tai Po

With a traveling range of 300 kilometers, the buses are expected to meet the full-day operation needs of nearly 80 percent of KMB’s bus routes.

READ MORE: HK bus fares to go up starting June 18

Manufactured by mainland carmaker BYD, the buses are powered by blade-shaped batteries, a safer and smaller new energy technology launched by BYD in 2020.

In addition to meeting “zero emissions” standards, KMB’s double-decker electric buses are equipped with environmentally friendly facilities, including LED lighting inside and solar panels on the roof that can provide power for in-car facilities, such as air-conditioning systems.

Douglas Mak Shing-pong, assistant operations director of the bus operator, said 52 double-decker electric buses will be put into service this year and the company plans to expand the fleet to 500 vehicles by 2027. In addition to the Anderson Road area, other busy bus routes will be considered, allowing more residents to enjoy the high-quality traveling experience on electric buses and cleaner roadside environment.

With the increased use of electric buses, KMB is building new charging facilities and will invest HK$2 billion ($256 million) for two new energy bus depots at Tuen Mun and Tai Po. Upon completion within four to five years, they will provide 850 parking spaces for electric buses.

READ MORE: Electric buses set to roll out in HK

When taking delivery of 42 double-decker electric buses manufactured by BYD earlier this month, Roger Lee Chak-cheong, managing director of KMB, said that KMB has a clear goal for net zero-emissions development and is gradually closing in on its goal of upgrading the entire fleet to new energy buses by 2040.

Contact the writer at grace@chinadailyhk.com