Istanbul will become one of the only major cities worldwide to operate a fully electric bus fleet according to a statement released by the Municipal Bus Transport Authority of Istanbul (IETT).
“Istanbul’s IETT plans to establish a small fleet of electrical buses in 2014 as part of the institution’s 4E philosophy (Energy, Ecology, Efficiency and Economy),” said IETT head, Hayri Backali.
Although battery life is the primary disadvantage of electric vehicles, officials gave “priority to carbon emission values and energy costs” when choosing an all-electric bus fleet according to the statement.
The fleet of buses will give off zero emissions and save the city $136 million annually. According to the IETT, in 2013 the annual fuel cost of the 3,086 vehicle fleet reached $170 million.