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<\/a>The world\u2019s first battery-powered bus transported 135,000 people in its first 10 days of operation. Photo credit: Metropolitan Urban Transportation Company<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cThe bus is super-healthy for the planet and can do its job almost like diesel-fueled models, thanks to its recharge technology and use of energy,\u201d Ivan Regina, manager of the Transport Planning, Technological Development and Environment unit\u00a0within the state government, told Efe<\/i><\/a>.<\/p>\n There are no doubts in the area regarding the fuel savings potential and noise reduction of the bus, compared to others in its fleet, which include\u00a0diesel, ethanol, biodiesel and hydrogen. Electra Industrial assembled the bus almost entirely in Brazil, with the exception of the battery itself, which was developed in Japan by Mitsubishi. Electric bus manufacturer BYD tested two 40-foot buses<\/a> for the government in late 2013. BYD buses have performed trial runs in\u00a0Europe, North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Asia, according to the company.<\/p>\n The 124-passenger bus is under a six-month period, which is also considered a trial phase, only this one involves actual customers. According to the\u00a0Metropolitan Urban Transportation Company, the plan allows for four, four-minute quick recharges throughout the day. Slow charges, which last two or three hours, are conducted in the garage during the evening, the Brazil-Arab News Agency<\/i><\/a> reported.<\/p>\n The batteries contain rechargeable lithium ions, similar to those electronic devices and the ones Tesla is planning to manufacture in a massive \u201cgigafactory.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n Regina said S\u00e3o Paulo-based automotive engineering company Netz will analyze results before officials say just how much they will save in fuel costs. Still, the city\u2019s diesel buses consume\u00a0the equivalent of 925 gallons of fuel per month, emitting 9 tons of carbon dioxide.<\/p>\n According to ThinkProgress<\/i><\/a>,\u00a0the state has plans to replace 70,000 or so buses with renewable models by 2020. Having battery-powered buses on the roads is important for Brazil, as sports enthusiasts will travel to Sao Paulo in June and July for the 2014 World Cup.<\/p>\n \u201cThe battery-powered bus is more silent than others and provides just as much comfort,\u201d Regina said. \u201cThere is no difference to the users, only to the environment.\u201d<\/p>\n In the U.S., the nation\u2019s first electric school bus<\/a> picked up California students about a month ago.<\/p>\n Visit EcoWatch\u2019s\u00a0TRANSPORTATION<\/a>\u00a0page for more related news on this topic<\/b><\/p>\n