Thirty new locally assembled electric buses will soon be operating on public transport routes in Dushanbe. The new vehicles were officially put into service on May 15, with the participation of the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, and the Mayor of Dushanbe, Rustam Emomali, according to the Tajik president’s official website.
The electric buses, branded “Akia Neru,” are assembled at the Tajik-Turkish joint venture Akia Avesto Automotive Industry. Each bus is equipped with a heating and air conditioning system, six video cameras, and two screens. They can accommodate up to 100 passengers, including 32 seated.
The 350 kWh batteries provide a range of up to 300 kilometers. The warranty for the batteries and electric components covers 600,000 kilometers or approximately 8 years.
To charge the vehicles, a modern power station has been built at the "Autobus-1" depot in Dushanbe.
Focus on ecology and local production
The Akia Avesto Automotive Industry plant has been operating in Dushanbe since 2018. During this time, it has assembled more than 500 buses and trolleybuses of various modifications. It was the first company in the country to launch the production of city buses with diesel and electric powertrains.
The production of electric buses is an important step in the policy aimed at improving the environmental situation in the capital. City authorities plan to fully transition to electric public transport by 2028.
According to experts, operating electric buses is 9–10 times cheaper than diesel ones, in terms of both fuel and maintenance costs.
Investment in local workforce and export
More than 200 people work at the plant — all local specialists who have received professional training. The company’s products are already being used not only in Tajikistan but also abroad.
The plant produces Akia Neru electric buses on a serial basis, as well as 8- and 12-meter buses, including double-decker models. Diesel versions are equipped with components from German manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz and ZF.
President Emomali Rahmon has instructed an increase in electric bus production to meet the needs of not only Dushanbe but also other cities across the country. He also launched the construction of a new production line at the plant.
For the first time, Tajikistan-assembled electric buses appeared on the streets of Dushanbe in December of 2021. Akia Avesto Automotive Industry Company top managers say the Tajikistan-assembled electric buses meet European standards and are designed in accordance with modern requirements for the convenience of passengers.
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