Hyundai and KOICA Unveil Electric Bus Project in Marrakech

Hyundai Motor Company, in collaboration with South Korea's Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the city of Marrakech, is set to transform public transportation in the Moroccan city through the introduction of 15 Elec City electric buses. This significant initiative aims to bolster the city’s transport infrastructure by delivering the first domestically produced electric buses to Morocco. The announcement was made following a ceremonial handover of the initial two buses, held at Hyundai's Jeonju plant in North Jeolla Province, signaling the project's momentum.

The handover ceremony was graced by key figures, including Lee Seung-min, Hyundai’s Executive Director of the Commercial Vehicle Product Division, and Do Young-a, Director of KOICA’s Regional Programs Department II, alongside Chafik Rachadi, Morocco’s ambassador to South Korea. These electric buses are strategically designed to operate in Marrakech's main tourist districts, facilitating improved transport services while simultaneously addressing the pressing issue of urban air pollution.

Support for Sustainable Urban Mobility

KOICA's involvement extends beyond merely providing the buses; it encompasses the provision of fast chargers and essential equipment, alongside local training and technical support aimed at enhancing the operational capabilities for maintaining these electric vehicles. This initiative aligns with Morocco's broader goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 45.5% from projected business-as-usual levels by 2030, and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

In the first quarter of 2027, Hyundai plans to conduct a local handover ceremony in Morocco, upon the completion of production and shipment of the remaining vehicles. Park Chul-yeon, the head of Hyundai’s Global Commercial Vehicle and LCV Division, emphasized that this project is pivotal in expanding the avenues for electrifying public transport. KOICA’s Do Young-a expressed optimism that this initiative could pave the way for an influx of Korean-made electric vehicles into Morocco and the broader North African region.

Rachadi highlighted the significance of this project, particularly as Marrakech was the host city for the 2016 UN Climate Change Conference (COP22) and is a key economic and cultural hub in Morocco. He noted that the introduction of these electric buses represents a critical opportunity for enhanced cooperation between Korea and Morocco in the realm of sustainable urban mobility.

As reported by northafricapost.com.