Can electric buses reduce urban air pollution woes?

For Karachi-based Raja Kamran, swapping his motorcycle commute for the country’s first-ever electric bus service has saved cash – and helped him avoid some of the city’s pollution.

A small fleet of fully electric buses started operating in the country’s financial capital in January as part of a government drive to cut worsening air pollution produced by vehicles and industry, power plants, and brick kilns, as well as the burning of solid waste.

“The electric bus service has not only decreased my weekly\ traveling costs but also helped (with) my  … health problems,” the 50-year-old journalist said by phone, noting that he had suffered back pain while riding his motorcycle to work.

However, Kamran said there were not enough e-buses – only 10 of the initial fleet of 50 are currently running – and that he sometimes had to wait 45 minutes to catch one of them.