首辆中国造电动公交车在圣地亚哥亮相
Chile's capital Santiago has unveiled its first Chinese-made electric bus as part of a campaign to make the city more environmentally friendly.
首辆中国造电动公交车在智利首都圣地亚哥亮相，该举旨在使城市更加环保。
The fully electric vehicle, manufactured by Chinese company BYD, will operate free of charge in the city's downtown area starting May 5th, offering residents and tourists alike a clean and quiet mode of transport.
"This bus shows that these kinds of technologies can be commonly used in our city," Santiago Mayor Carolina Toha said during the presentation ceremony, adding "we want to gradually replace the old buses that are more polluting and noisier."
While electric vehicles imply a greater initial cost, "their operation is much cheaper," due to the savings on fuel, and they are more environmentally sound, Toha said.
The buses will help develop "a more pleasant and friendly city," said the mayor.