Enabling Environment for Electric Buses for Public Transport in Sri Lanka

About this project

Sri Lanka’s transport sector is the largest consumer of imported petroleum fuels, accounting for 78.4% of national fuel consumption in 2021. It also contributes significantly to green house gas emissions (GHG) responsible for 21% of the country’s total GHG emissions, with road transport alone accounting for three-quarters of transport-related emissions and 15% of total CO2 emissions.In 2023, Sri Lanka faced an unprecedented economic crisis, which led to severe energy security concerns. This crisis triggered fuel shortages, a quota-based fuel distribution system, and skyrocketing fuel prices, resulting in general inflation and a significant drop in fuel consumption, including for transport (a decline of approximately 50%). This crisis has underscored the urgent need for Sri Lanka to transition to low-carbon, green transport solutions. Such a transition is not only essential to reduce dependency on imported fuels but is also critical for fulfilling the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under international climate agreements.In response, this project proposes to establish a conducive policy, regulatory, and institutional framework for the promotion of electric bus mobility in public transport. Additionally, it aims to design a business model and financial incentive package to support the pilot the deployment of five 30–35-seater midi electric buses in the Colombo Metropolitan region which will serve as a catalyst a shift to low-carbon public transport in Sri L…

Goals

Sustainable Development Goals this project works towards

• 5Gender Equality
• 11Sustainable Cities and Communities
• 13Climate Action

Published by

United Nations Development Programme · Multilateral

Countries

Sri Lanka

Sectors

Public transport services

Funded by

UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME

Implemented by

UNDP

Accountable

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Published by United Nations Development Programme to the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI), last updated 5 Oct 2026 and imported automatically. IATI identifier: XM-DAC-41114-PROJECT-01003422.

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