Exclaves as the sovereign territory of one country surrounded by another, usually much larger country – that sounds like colonial history or 19th century European state particularism. And yet such special geographical cases still exist today, for example in the north of Africa, where the Kingdom of Spain still maintains two such exclaves – Ceuta and Melilla – surrounded by Morocco on its Mediterranean coast.
Approximately 84,000 inhabitants are currently registered in Melilla, the smaller (by km2) of the two areas. The Cooperativa Omnibus de Melilla (COA), which is organised as a cooperative, operates a total of eight lines, four of which are ring lines, on behalf of the city. Electromobility will soon be introduced here too – the delivery of the first electric bus is imminent! It is a MAN Lion’s City 10E midibus, which will be operating in Melilla from April, primarily on the routes that run through the “Zona de Bajos Emisiones” (low emission zone) in the inner city centre. The first bus has now been presented to the COA at the manufacturer’s factory. If the new bus proves its worth, it will certainly not be the last e-bus in Melilla.
