CMED acquires 16 electric buses

Freeman Razemba-Senior Reporter

THE Central Mechanical Equipment Department has procured 16 new electric buses that are set to be deployed to the urban transport system, with a trial route between the University of Zimbabwe and Harare City Centre set to begin next month.

The new buses bring CMED’s total number of electric vehicles to 33, marking one of the biggest public-sector investments in e-mobility to date.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said CMED’s investment demonstrated the Government’s commitment to modern, sustainable and cost-effective transport systems.

“CMED now has 33 electric vehicles in its fleet, including 16 buses of various sizes,” he said.

“The buses will form part of the urban transport system, beginning with a UZ–City trial route in December 2025. This initiative will also help reduce urban pollution,” he said.

Beyond the new buses, CMED’s smaller electric vehicles have been integrated into its EasyGo Car Hire and Travel service, which has been instrumental in piloting new mobility technologies, expanding taxi and shuttle services and supporting the wider uptake of electric vehicles.

The Government recently tasked CMED with studying the feasibility of running urban commuter services solely with electric buses, which are significantly cheaper to operate than traditional diesel-powered vehicles — a shift expected to translate into more affordable fares for commuters.

Many of the newly-procured electric cars are already in use at CMED’s EasyGo Driving School and as shuttle vehicles at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.

Both the vehicles and charging infrastructure at the CMED Harare depot were acquired from BYD, a global manufacturer of electric buses, cars, forklifts and rechargeable batteries.

On infrastructure development, Minister Mhona said CMED continued to play a key role in national road rehabilitation efforts.

“It has contributed immensely to improved accessibility and connectivity for communities, contributing to economic development,” said Minister Mhona.