Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Transport minister backs Siem Reap electric bus study

Transport minister backs Siem Reap electric bus study

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Transport minister Sun Chanthol meets with GGGI representative in Cambodia, Shomi Kim, on March 6. TRANSPORT MINISTRY

Transport minister backs Siem Reap electric bus study

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has expressed its support a pre-feasibility study on the use of electric buses in Siem Reap town and province. The case study, which was prepared by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), will be used as model for other locations in the Kingdom.

Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol on March 6 met with GGGI representative in Cambodia Shomi Kim, who shared the results of the study and assured the minister that the use of electric buses was indeed feasible.

Shomi said GGGI’s next project would study air quality improvement projects in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap town. The study was scheduled to start in early April, and would take about two years to complete. The project will be financed by France, though the French Development Agency (AFD).

Chanthol said GGGI has worked with the government to conduct research into various aspects of green growth theory that would allow the promotion of sustainable, environmentally friendly economic growth.

“The ministry, in line with the policies of the government, has worked hard to encourage the private sector as well as development partners to join it in increasing the use of electric vehicles (EVs). Their use benefits the environment. We operate several EV charging stations across the country, and encourage the private sector to build more,” he added.

During a March 2 memorandum of understanding signing ceremony between the Cambodia Bus Association and PPSHV Expressway Co Ltd, Chanthol proposed that the association purchase electric buses, while suggesting that the expressway’s administrators may consider offering a discount to EVs. The company and the association agreed that they would discuss the matter further.

Cambodia Automotive Industry Federation president Tan Monivann said the use of EVs had more advantages than disadvantages, especially if the environmental benefits were factored in.

“In many developed countries, they employ EVs to provide public transport – the use of which is also on the rise. This trend will continue to increase as more and more people become aware of environmental issues and climate change. We should definitely encourage the use of EVs,” he added.

At present, there are 13 EV charging stations across the country, including four at the transport ministry, one at Aeon Mall Sen Sok, one at Total Chamkar Dong, and one each in the provinces of Battambang, Siem Reap, Preah Sihanouk and Mondulkiri.
The three most recent stations to come on line are at PTT gas stations, Chbar Ampov, Prek Pnov and Chroy Changvar.

The GGGI is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organisation which is dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive, sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies.

The institute was formed based on the goodwill that economic growth and environmental sustainability are not separate goals, but that a combination of the two is essential for the future of humanity.

MOST VIEWED

  • 12th Cambodia int’l film festival to see return of Hollywood star

    Phnom Penh is set to come alive with the magic of cinema as the highly anticipated 12th Cambodia International Film Festival (CIFF) takes centre stage. Boasting an impressive line-up of 188 films from 23 countries, including captivating shorts, feature films, documentaries and animation, the festival promises an

  • Brawl marrs football final as Indonesian take gold in seven goal thriller

    The Indonesian men's U22 men national football team were crowned champions of the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia, defeating Thailand 5-2 in extra time on May 16 at Olympic National Stadium in Phnom Penh. The match was marred by an ugly incident that occured in the 91

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Candlelight Party disqualified from July general election

    The National Election Committee (NEC) has disqualified the Candlelight Party (CP) from contesting the upcoming general election, citing a lack of valid documentation. NEC spokesman Khorn Keomono said the CP failed to fulfil one of the three main requirements: including original documentation proving their registration

  • Thong Khon calls for orderly SEA Games closing ceremony

    Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism and permanent vice-president of the Cambodia SEA Games Organising Committee (CAMSOC), calls on all people who have received tickets to the May 17 closing ceremony of the biennial multi-sports extravaganza at the Morodok Techo National Stadium to ensure that the event

  • 1.4 billion dollar Phnom Penh-Bavet expressway due in four years

    The Government, through the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, has officially signed a public-private partnership agreement with a private company for the construction of a Phnom Penh-Bavet Expressway project that will connect the capital to Svay Rieng province. The budget for the project is