Hyundai Motor Company is embarking on an exciting initiative by supplying 15 Elec City electric buses to Marrakech, Morocco, as part of a collaborative development project with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). This project not only includes the provision of the buses but also encompasses fast chargers and essential equipment, alongside local training and technical assistance to ensure the successful operation and maintenance of these eco-friendly vehicles.
This significant undertaking, as outlined by Seoul Economic Daily, aligns with KOICA's broader development assistance program in collaboration with the Moroccan government, which aims for achieving carbon neutrality by the year 2050. The introduction of these Elec City buses marks a pioneering moment, as they will be the first South Korean-manufactured electric buses to be deployed in Morocco. These buses are set to operate in key tourist districts of the city, enhancing both the transport experience and the environmental goals of the region.
During a handover ceremony held at Hyundai’s Jeonju plant in Jeonbuk State, South Korea, company representatives expressed their intention to leverage this partnership as a gateway to explore commercial electromobility opportunities across diverse operating conditions and markets, with a particular focus on North Africa. Park Chul-yeon, the head of Hyundai Motor’s Global Commercial Vehicle & LCV Division, articulated the importance of this initiative, stating, “This project will be a meaningful case that broadens the potential for electrifying public transport using electric buses. We will provide eco-friendly commercial mobility suited to operating conditions in various regions and work with partner institutions to help build a sustainable transport environment.”
Chafik Rachadi, the Moroccan ambassador to South Korea, emphasized the multifaceted benefits of this project, noting that it is expected to contribute significantly to Morocco’s carbon neutrality objectives while also enhancing transportation convenience for local residents. Furthermore, he highlighted the potential for this initiative to serve as a foundation for future cooperation between Korea and Morocco in the realm of sustainable urban mobility.
This venture is part of Hyundai's broader strategy to expand its electric bus operations on an international scale. Notably, in 2025, the company successfully delivered Japan’s inaugural electric buses, specifically five Elec City Town buses, which were subsequently deployed on public routes on Yakushima Island.
As reported by electrive.com.
