Baku: Azerbaijani drivers have expressed their satisfaction with the introduction of electric buses manufactured in China, highlighting their quiet operation and environmental benefits.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the official Chinese news agency, these electric buses are being praised for their smooth and noise-free performance, significantly improving the commuting experience in cities like Baku.
The report by journalist Lu Shuchen features Baku-based driver Nurlan Salmanli, who shared his positive experiences with the new electric buses. "When I began driving electric buses, I could immediately tell that they were very different from the buses I had driven before. They run quietly and smoothly, with hardly any noise or vibration. Most importantly, they are environmentally friendly," said Salmanli. Having previously driven buses powered by compressed natural gas, Salmanli now operates one of the 160 BYD electric buses that were imported from China and deployed in Baku ahead of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2024.
Salmanli noted that passengers, particularly older people and families with children, appreciate the modern buses for making public transport more convenient and comfortable, while also reducing street noise. His remarks reflect a broader transformation in Baku's public transport system as Azerbaijan pushes towards greener mobility. According to BYD, an electric bus traveling 90,000 km annually can save about 27,000 liters of diesel and cut carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 66 tons each year.
Data from the Azerbaijan Land Transport Agency in spring 2026 revealed that over 2,350 buses operate in Baku daily, including more than 300 BYD electric buses. Some of these buses were locally assembled at the Azerbaijan Energy Automotive Factory (AEAF) in the Sumgayit Industrial Park, approximately 30 km northwest of Baku. Orkhan Qambarov, deputy director for production at the factory, expressed pride in the factory's achievements, noting that the first locally assembled 12-meter BYD electric bus was delivered in September 2025.
Qambarov praised the collaboration with the Chinese team, who provided essential support throughout the project's stages, from technical issues to quality control. The AEAF project, established through a joint initiative of the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund, SARDA Group, and BYD, has delivered 300 locally assembled BYD electric buses to date.
Rizvan Gulaliyev, a chief foreman at the plant, shared his enthusiasm for working in the new and exciting field of electric bus production. He credited Chinese specialists for training staff directly on the production line and imparting valuable knowledge in electric vehicle manufacturing.
The Project Management Department under Azerbaijan's Ministry of Economy, led by Zamir Dibirov, oversees the AEAF project. Dibirov emphasized the importance of cooperation with Chinese companies in transitioning Azerbaijan from an importer of green technologies to a producer and operator of new-energy transport solutions, with potential regional market reach. He highlighted the project's success in advancing green development and strengthening industrial capacity, laying the groundwork for sustainable economic growth.