Information Management and Business Review (ISSN 2220-3796) Vol. 16, No. 3, pp. 182-188, Sep 2024 182 The Challenges in Adopting Electric Buses: A Case from Melaka, Malaysia Husnul Laili A Rahman 1 , Chew Boon Cheong 1* , Adi Saptari 2 , Fadhlur Rahim Azmi 3 , Mastura Roni 3 1 Faculty of Technology Management and Technopreneurship, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Malaysia 2 Department of Industrial Engineering, President University, Kota Jababeka, Cikarang, Malaysia 3 Faculty of Business & Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Melaka Kampus Bandaraya Melaka, Melaka, Malaysia bcchew@utem.edu.my* Corresponding Author: Chew Boon Cheong Abstract: The Malaysian government has initiated a collaboration with private agencies to expand the green transport ecosystem by introducing electric buses. Despite these efforts, the adoption of electric buses in urban areas remains minimal. This paper addresses two research objectives: (a) to identify the challenges in adopting electric buses, and (b) to recommend improvements for adopting electric buses in Malaysia. Utilizing a qualitative methodology, this study aims to capture the experiences and reflections of interviewees through targeted population or place studies. This approach allows for the collection of detailed information and the development of new concepts and theories. The interviews revealed three main barriers to adopting electric buses in Melaka: battery reliability and durability, a lack of charging infrastructure, and insufficient operational knowledge. The paper suggests that the government and policymakers should take proactive measures to promote green technology and increase the acceptance of electric buses in urban areas through awareness campaigns. Keywords: Electric Buses, Battery Electric Bus, Charging Infrastructure, Operational Knowledge. 1. Introduction With the rapid increase in urbanization and motorization, Malaysian cities have witnessed a significant rise in the number of vehicles on the roads, leading to heightened levels of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. This surge in transportation contributes to the growing greenhouse effect, impacting both the environment and the quality of life in urban areas (Uddin, 2022). To address these challenges, shifting towards sustainable transportation, such as public transit, is essential for creating livable and less polluted cities. Recognizing this need, Malaysia introduced the National Automotive Policy (NAP) in 2014, which aims to establish the country as a regional hub for energy-efficient vehicles (EEVs) by 2022. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to promote a cleaner environment by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and the reliance on petroleum-based fuels. The NAP has encouraged automotive manufacturers to produce a range of EEVs, including fuel-efficient internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs), and vehicles powered by alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), biodiesel, ethanol, hydrogen, and fuel cells (Ridhuan, Abdul Latif, Ahmad, Asat, & Mohd Noor , 2017) . The first electric bus in Melaka to operate on the road was in August 2015. This bus route covers the Melaka Heritage Area as an initiative to promote tourism activities in Melaka (Green City Action Plan, 2020). However, due to the lack of incentives for EEVs in Malaysia, public transportation has resulted in the slow adoption of EEVs on the road. Malaysia targets 100,000 electric cars and 2,000 electric buses on the road by 2020 (Shukor, Sulaiman, Ai Chin, & Mas'od, 2018). Unfortunately, until 2018, the number of targeted EEVs on the road was still unachievable, and in 2017, Melaka had only two electric buses on the road and was still waiting for another 38. A few criteria need to be considered before adopting an electric bus in Melaka, including battery reliability and durability. The battery acts as a power source for the bus; it stores electricity for the bus to operate efficiently (Asian Development Bank, 2014). However, there are some problems encountered with it, such as that it is heavy, expensive, easily affected by atmospheric temperature, needs longer charging time, is sensitive to overcharge or undercharge, contains toxic heavy metals, and requires different ways of disposal (Salehen, Su'Ait, Razali, & Sopian, 2017). The battery requires a large capacity to ensure its long-term performance because almost no electric bus has been proven to operate long enough to reach its estimated decommissioning