Rapid Penang tested two electric buses on selected routes on October 6 and 7, 2026, beginning an assessment of their suitability for local public transport. The vehicles come from two Chinese manufacturers: a 12-metre bus from Foton and an 8.25-metre bus from Golden Dragon.
The separate trials are intended to examine how each bus performs in everyday operating conditions. Rapid Penang said the evaluation includes energy use, charging performance, passenger safety and comfort. The operator also plans to provide the charging infrastructure, maintenance facilities, staff training and other support needed for electric-bus operations. It said vehicles would be introduced in stages after testing is complete.
The trials are part of the first phase of a procurement covering 75 electric buses, with deliveries scheduled in stages through March 2027. That purchase sits within Penang’s broader bus replacement programme, which involves 240 electric buses alongside 70 new diesel buses. The test results are expected to give the operations team practical experience and information before electric buses are added to existing routes.