Belarus is developing a comprehensive program for the transition of all public transport in major cities to electric power, as announced today at a press conference by Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Alexander Korbut, according to a BELTA correspondent.
Belarus became a full party to the Paris Agreement on climate change, the first CIS country and the 30th in the world to do so. The country has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 28% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels). In accordance with the requirements of the agreement, Belarus will submit its second Nationally Determined Contribution, containing even more ambitious commitments, no later than February 2020. The government has approved an action plan for the implementation of the provisions of the Paris Agreement on climate change.
"One of the solutions contributing to the country's transition to carbon neutrality is the shift from hydrocarbon transport to electric transport," said Alexander Korbut. "The country has decided to develop electric transport as a national priority, and a number of regulatory legal acts governing this area have been adopted. A comprehensive program is being developed for the transition of all public transport in major cities to electric power."
Passenger electric transport is actively developing in the country, including electric buses, trolleybuses, trams, and electric trains. There are domestic innovative developments in the field of electric vehicle production. "Currently, 83 electric buses manufactured by Belkommunmash are in operation in Belarus. The company is developing a new type of electric bus that will meet EU requirements, and we hope it will be exported to these countries. In developing the national infrastructure for electric transport, the country is guided by the fact that our geographical location forms a kind of corridor for such transport. Coordination of efforts by states in this area is necessary, as are unified approaches to charging stations and maintenance stations. Belarus can act as a coordinator for the formation of infrastructure for electric transport in the region, as well as a reliable supplier, and can transfer knowledge and experience to neighboring countries, attract partners and investments for production," the deputy minister noted.