Ten battery-powered buses made their first run downtown yesterday, as part of Shanghai's latest efforts to reduce traffic pollution and adopt clean-energy public transport.

Free from an engine that consumes fuel and discharges harmful wastes, the new buses are driven by the combination of a battery and capacitor, which produces no fuel pollution during its operation.

The electric-powered buses could also save the bus company 85 percent of its daily energy costs.

The 10 buses are owned by Dazhong Transport Group and run on bus route 825, running from Jing'an Temple on downtown Nanjing Road W. to Beixinjing in Changning District.

The buses also have a much quieter ride than ordinary air-conditioned buses, as Shanghai Daily found out while riding the new route yesterday.

No fuel pollution and lower noise levels are two of the advantages of the electric buses, said Dazhong officials.

However, the initial cost is higher, and Dazhong would need some time to see if it can make ends meet with the new buses, without disclosing the cost.

Batteries on the buses will be recharged at night, and Shanghai Power Supply Bureau has offered a 50-percent discount to Dazhong to support its efforts in adopting clean energy.

(Shanghai Daily September 19, 2007)