Green buses cut carbon emissions by 1,332 tonnes in 2025, slash energy costs by 40%.
Abu Dhabi is making further progress towards sustainable transport, with its green bus fleet reducing carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 1,332 tonnes in 2025, according to data released by the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility).
The achievement highlights the impact of the emirate’s efforts to accelerate the adoption of low-emission transport solutions, support climate neutrality goals and improve quality of life.
A major step towards cleaner transport
Cutting emissions by 1,332 tonnes in a single year reflects the growing role of sustainable mobility in transforming Abu Dhabi’s road transport sector.
The reduction is comparable to taking hundreds of conventional fossil-fuel-powered vehicles off the roads for a year or planting tens of thousands of trees to absorb a similar amount of greenhouse gas emissions.
The progress has been driven by the deployment of environmentally friendly buses powered by clean energy technologies, including electricity and green hydrogen.
These vehicles have been introduced on key routes across Abu Dhabi Island and surrounding areas, offering quieter, cleaner transport with zero direct emissions while maintaining operational efficiency and scheduled services.
Key drivers of success
The progress forms part of the Green Bus Programme launched by the Integrated Transport Centre, which is built around several strategic priorities:
1. Diversifying clean energy sources: Testing, evaluating and operating electric and hydrogen fuel-cell buses under different climatic conditions to assess their suitability for the region’s hot weather.
2. Developing supporting infrastructure: Establishing ultra-fast electric vehicle charging stations and providing hydrogen refuelling facilities in collaboration with strategic partners in the energy sector.
3. Improving operational efficiency and reliability: Monitoring the fleet’s technical and operational performance while training drivers and technical personnel to work with the latest sustainable mobility technologies.
Supporting the UAE’s strategic vision
The environmental gains support the objectives of the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative and Abu Dhabi’s Low-Emission Mobility Strategy. They also contribute to the targets of the National Hydrogen Strategy.
The initiative further reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a global leader in adopting clean technologies across infrastructure and public transport.
It also aims to encourage more residents to use sustainable public transport rather than private vehicles, helping ease traffic congestion and reduce individual carbon footprints.
Looking ahead
Building on the results achieved by the end of 2025, the Integrated Transport Centre is continuing its plans to gradually replace conventional buses with environmentally friendly alternatives and expand the Green Zone in central Abu Dhabi.
The long-term goal is to create an integrated urban transport system that supports smoother traffic flow while protecting the environment for future generations.
Key figures
- Responsible entity: Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility)
- Environmental impact in 2025: 1,332 tonnes of carbon emissions avoided
- Technologies adopted: Electric buses and green hydrogen-powered buses
- Strategic objectives: Supporting climate neutrality, improving air quality and making public transport more attractive
Green bus fleet delivers first-phase Environmental Centennial 2071 targets
According to the executive summary of the first phase of the Environmental Centennial 2071, published on the Integrated Transport Centre’s official website, the operation of green buses across Abu Dhabi’s public transport network reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 1,332 tonnes in 2025.
The data also showed that operating costs related to energy consumption were 40 per cent lower for the green buses than for conventional fleets.
The findings highlight how introducing electric and hydrogen-powered buses on public transport routes can deliver energy cost savings while reducing the carbon footprint of daily journeys.
Green fleet covers 1.3 million kilometres since September 2024
The green bus fleet has travelled more than 1.3 million kilometres between the launch of the service in September 2024 and April 2026, according to the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport.
Before introducing the fleet, the Centre assessed the performance of electric and hydrogen fuel-cell buses under local weather conditions and within the urban environment to determine which technologies were best suited to the emirate.
Target: Transforming Abu Dhabi Island into a Green Public Transport Zone by 2030
The plan aims to make Abu Dhabi Island a Green Public Transport Zone by 2030, with electric and hydrogen-powered buses accounting for half of the emirate’s public transport fleet.
The expansion is being supported by the development of charging infrastructure for electric buses and refuelling facilities for hydrogen-powered vehicles, alongside training programmes to equip Emirati talent with expertise in both technologies. These measures will help prepare the network for the introduction of green buses on more routes.
In March last year, the Integrated Transport Centre converted Route 65, which connects Marina Mall with Al Reem Island, to operate entirely with green buses.
At the time, the route served around 6,000 passengers a day and covered more than 2,000 kilometres daily.
Route 184, linking the Central Bus Station with Yas Island, is also served by green buses, giving passengers more opportunities to use environmentally friendly transport for their regular journeys.
