Mauritius accelerates shift towards electric and low-carbon public transport network

Government remains fully committed to supporting initiatives aimed at accelerating the transition towards green transport, developing charging infrastructure and establishing an integrated, efficient and low-carbon transport network across the country, stated the Minister of Land Transport, Mr Mahomed Osman Cassam Mahomed, yesterday, in Ebène.

He was speaking at the launch of Project Helios, an initiative of Rose Hill Transport (RHT) Bus Services Ltd, aimed at accelerating the transition towards electric and sustainable public transport in Mauritius. The Group Chief Executive Officer of RHT Holding Ltd, Dr Sidharth Sharma; Partner at Ernst & Young, Mrs Roshni Beeharry, and other personalities were present at the event.

Under Project Helios, RHT Bus Services Ltd will progressively replace 20 diesel buses with 20 electric buses over a five-year period. The electric buses will be powered by solar energy generated through a 5MW photovoltaic farm, thereby promoting cleaner, more sustainable and cost-efficient public transport.

In his address, Minister Mahomed highlighted that Government is leading the transition towards sustainable mobility. The National Transport Corporation (NTC), he said is introducing 106 electric buses this year, representing more than a quarter of its fleet. Government has also allocated Rs 500 million over five years for photovoltaic installations at NTC depots and premises, while Metro Express Ltd has been allocated Rs 440 million over four years for similar renewable-energy installations, he stated.

The Minister commended RHT Bus Services Ltd for Project Helios, stressing that the initiative demonstrates how environmental responsibility, innovation and commercial viability can go hand in hand.

Emphasising the vital role of public transport, the Minister noted that buses carry around 450,000 passengers daily, connecting people to workplaces, schools and essential community facilities. However, he pointed out that the transport sector accounts for more than 32% of Mauritius’ total carbon emissions and remains highly dependent on fossil fuels. The transition to electric mobility will therefore contribute to improved air quality, reduced emissions and lower operating and maintenance costs, he underscored.

Minister Mahomed also highlighted Government’s enhanced support to the bus industry through the Bus Modernisation Scheme. The allocation has been increased by 50%, from Rs 100 million to Rs 150 million, while a subsidy of Rs 3.5 million, representing almost 40% of the acquisition cost, is provided for each electric bus acquired and registered by an operator.

He further indicated that the Ministry is working with the United Nations Development Programme to explore the possibility of providing financial support for solar charging infrastructure, which remains an important investment for private bus operators seeking to transition to electric mobility.

With 116 electric buses currently operating on Mauritian roads, the Minister urged bus operators to take advantage of the incentives and facilities put to their avail. He emphasised that the legal operating age of buses will be progressively reduced from 21 to 16 years over a five-year period, creating an opportunity for operators to renew their fleets with cleaner technologies.

Minister Mahomed reaffirmed Government’s commitment to supporting bus operators in accelerating the transition towards green transport and developing the infrastructure required for a cleaner and more sustainable public transport system.

Dr Sharma, for his part, said that Project Helios continues RHT long-standing commitment to sustainable mobility and its goal of decarbonising its entire fleet, in line with Government’s energy-transition vision. He noted that RHT has progressively upgraded its fleet from Euro 0 to Euro 4 standards, building on a July 2019 pilot that introduced two electric buses. After seven years, the pilot has delivered a 60% reduction in energy costs and a 70% decrease in spare-parts expenditure, demonstrating that electrification is both an environmental and economically viable solution, he indicated.

With eight electric buses already in operation and 92 more planned, Dr Sharma affirmed RHT’s commitment to a sustainable mobility model that responds to environmental challenges and the evolving expectations of citizens.

14 August 2026

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Topics: Transport