Addressing climate change and carbon emissions has become a core issue of politics. As most emissions are created in cities, they have become a key player in the fight against emissions.

At the same time, Chinese cities in particular also struggle with bad air quality, which has been bad especially in summer due to the combination of heat and exhausts from vehicles.

From a circularity perspective, traffic also presents a major opportunity, as there is a large potential for improvement as well as an easy alternative to fossil fuels.

In 2009, Shenzhen was selected by the national government as one of 13 electric vehicle pilot cities. The switch was financed by subsidies from national and local government, and through service models financed by Chinese banks.

It was supported by a major extension in electric vehicle infrastructure such as chargers and battery recycling facilities. The operation of the electric bus system has also been supported by public subsidies. According to a representative from the Shenzhen Bus Group, the government will subsidise just under 500,000 yuan (around €70,700) when buses are run for a distance more than 60,000 km. This ensures that bus fares are not raised despite the investment in electric mobility.

In 2017, Shenzhen became the first city in the world to electrify all public buses. It is expected to achieve an estimated reduction in CO2 emissions of 48 percent, and cuts in pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, non-methane hydrocarbons and particulate matter.

Shenzhen Bus Group also estimates it has been able to conserve 160,000 tonnes of coal per year, and reduce annual CO2 emissions by 440,000 tonnes.

The initiative also helped to further develop electric mobility. There are now over 16,000 electric public buses (e-buses) and 23,000 electric taxis on the road. In addition, the city has engaged heavily in urban infrastructure, incorporating more than 500 bus charging stations and 5,100 bus charging points.

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