In recent years, China has made remarkable achievements in vehicle electrification, positioning itself as a global leader in electric mobility as it pushes for a major reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. China has also made great strides in significantly expanding electric bus, or e-bus, fleets in major cities. In 2023, the total number of buses nationwide reached an estimated 682,500, with 69% being fully electric and 11% being hybrid electric. In some large cities like Shenzhen, the fleet has even been fully transitioned.

In addition, electrification in other areas like two-wheelers and freight vehicles is gaining ground, furthering the country’s influence in both electric vehicle manufacturing and deployment. China’s electrification progress is being driven by a combination of factors, including national policy and investment support, technological innovation, and clear frameworks for goal setting. In 2009, the national government initiated a Ten Cities and Thousand New Energy Vehicles pilot project, aiming at deploying 1,000 ‘new energy’ vehicles in 10 cities annually over three years, with a focus on public transport.

To achieve this, a series of enabling policies were implemented to promote the acquisition of electric vehicles, including purchase subsidies, tax incentives for manufacturers, and the expansion of charging infrastructure. In just the past two years, the government has intensified its support of electrification in the public transport arena, with e-bus pilots launched in fifteen cities aimed at gathering replicable best practices.

A City of Electric Opportunity

One Chinese city that has been a focal point of this transformation is Jinan, the capital of the eastern Shandong province, and home to over nine million people. Since 2016, ITDP China has been deeply engaged in the city’s Trolleybus Demonstration Project, funded in part by a major USD $336 million loan from the Asian Development Bank and other national investments. Over the past decade, Jinan has seen a fourfold increase in motor vehicle demand, turning it into one of the most congested cities nationally. Yet, Jinan is not just a city of mobility challenges; it is also a city of mobility opportunity.

It has recently served as a pilot site for everything from smart city infrastructure to connected traffic systems, making it prime place to test and apply low-emission, electric mobility systems. Jinan began by developing a pilot low emission zone (LEZ) in its most densely populated areas, blending historical and natural landscapes with new public transport and regulatory measures. The LEZ broadly sought to reduce the use of private vehicles in designated areas by making vehicle parking more expensive, investing in sustainable transport, and strengthening traffic enforcement.

The city also planned a zero-emission rapid transit network in tandem with the LEZ, aiming to achieve the full electrification of public buses, enhance access, and reduce congestion and emissions within the areas. This was not only a plan for physical infrastructure, but also a scalable vision for public transport and urban planning citywide. The Trolleybus Project was a core part of these LEZ development efforts, particularly in one of the city’s the densest districts where better public transport could greatly improve air quality, reduce safety hazards, and shorten travel time and costs.

Coupled with measures to reduce private vehicle use, the trolleybus system has been critical for demonstrating that this car-oriented city can be shifted and empowered by electric, bus based public transport. Additional strategies were employed to tame traffic demand and integrate transport and land use planning to guarantee the success of the trolleybus system.

Trolleybuses Lead the Way

Jinan’s trolleybuses, also known as dual-power trolleybuses, merge the efficiency of traditional buses with the adaptability of electric vehicles, equipped for operation on both overhead wires and battery power. Unlike battery-powered buses, they continuously charge via these wires, eliminating issues of range anxiety while offering offline flexibility with batteries. This dual mode reduces the environmental impact as they primarily run on electricity, with the potential for renewable energy sourcing, and lowers the operational costs of extensive charging infrastructure and battery replacements. Several cost analyses into trolleybuses show significant savings for these modern vehicles compared to standard electric buses. Of course, their successful implementation from a policy and infrastructure standpoint depends on the unique geographic, financial, and operational contexts of every city.

For Jinan, the right conditions and mix of resources and political will helped make the system a reality. The Trolleybus Project got underway in 2017 with technical support from ITDP China focused on integrating it with LEZ policies, corridor selection, walking and cycling networks, and operational demands. By mid-2024, Jinan had successfully debuted 6 trolleybus lines and 80 kilometers of bus rapid transit (BRT) corridors, procuring more than 350 trolleybuses and 800 standard electric buses. The city also renovated a total of 190 bus platforms to optimize rider access and comfort. These lines were further boosted by the construction of 16 bus yard stations and 75 kilometers of power supply facilities that helped to shore up charging and grid infrastructure citywide.

According to the Jinan Bus Company, the project is expected to reduce emissions from urban transport by 62,035 tonnes of C02e emissions per year, demonstrating the benefit and opportunity for transport transformation. Jinan utilized the modern trolleybuses to further integrate with the existing BRT network, not only to enhance public transport connections, but also to leverage better integration to meet the travel demands of residents. Monitoring reports have shown that, by 2023, Jinan’s green travel mode exceeded an impressive 75 percent. To further enhance energy efficiency and boost the sustainability of the BRT network, Jinan is planning to integrate or replace older BRT vehicles with electric trolleybuses. This approach not only optimizes resources but also significantly enhances the rider experience across Jinan’s public transport while improving traffic efficiency.

More compact and smaller electric ‘alley’ buses services have also become popular in Jinan’s transport system as feeder routes to busier trolleybus, metro, and BRT corridors. These alley buses provide more variable vehicle sizes for smaller, denser, and less high-traffic streets and districts, while making it easier for people to reach destinations purely by public transport.

These connections are vital to integrating sustainable mobility options as a reliable alternative to private vehicles. As China grows its reputation in electric vehicle technology and implementation, its success with Jinan’s trolleybuses should be a considered an important model for mobility innovation, investment, and governance. Deploying more well-planned and integrated e-bus fleets within existing transport networks offers a win-win solution for China’s cities from both an economic and climate perspective.