Kitakyushu to Realize Zero-Emission Transportation System Using Solar-Powered Electric Buses

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Kitakyushu in southern Japan, with the aim of creating "a world environmental city," announced on February 10, 2014, a plan for a zero-emission transportation system that would not produce any pollution like carbon dioxide (CO2). Electric buses to be charged by large rechargeable batteries which store electricity produced by solar power will run on two city bus routes.

At first, buses powered by ordinary electricity (grid-connected power) will start to run around March 2014. Around October 2014, operation of a mega solar power plant with a capacity of 7.5 megawatts will start, and then the buses will run using the solar-powered electricity and grid power.

The city plans to make a transition to solar power as the main power source by completing a large-scale stationary rechargeable battery system in April 2015.

The city will operate the electric buses in cooperation with private companies such as Toray Industries and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Kitakyushu sees this zero-emission transportation system as a good step toward its goal of becoming a low-carbon society, and as one which will help the city become a base for the import and assembly of electric buses, and draw other related businesses to Kitakyushu.