New energy buses are ferrying riders around streets of Lhasa in Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Lhasa, capital of Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region, plans to add 110 new energy buses into operation by early July, expanding the green buses to account for over 80 percent of the city's fleet, the city's bus operation company announced recently.

Lhasa has more than 500 buses in operation, including 310 new energy buses, which are already in use, and with the 110 planed new energy buses, the city will soon have 420 new energy buses.

With the addition, Lhasa is on pace to make 80 percent of its city buses new energy vehicles, according to Liao Bin, deputy chief of the Information and Technology Department of the Lhasa Bus Operation Co Ltd.

As a further step to promote the use of new energy and clean energy vehicles in the plateau city, the city put 128 such buses last year, reported by Lhasa Evening News.

The 12-meter new buses include both pure electric and hybrid models. The electrical ones operate at a speed of 30 kilometers per hour, and use natural gas when the speed is above 30 kilometers per hour.

"The engine of the new energy bus adopts lean burn technology, which can better support a high altitude environment," said Liao Bin.

The new energy bus is superior to the traditional bus in the areas of economic and environment concern, and green innovation, Liao said.

"The local residents can benefit from safety, comfort, speed, and punctuality," Liao said.