Zagreb to purchase first electric buses, hydrogen ones are next

The City of Zagreb has started the procurement of its first electric buses. In the first phase, it will purchase four vehicles, followed by another 70 that would run on electricity or hydrogen.

The City of Zagreb and its public transport utility ZET have launched a public call for electric buses. It is another step towards green public transport available to all Zagreb residents, according to the local authority.

“Along with the previous tests of electric buses, this purchase represents an important step in getting familiar with the technologies and processes required for the complete decarbonization of public transport,” said Mayor Tomislav Tomašević.

The electric buses and their charging system are valued at EUR 3 million excluding value-added tax. They will carry passengers around Zagreb’s largest recreation areas Sljeme and Jarun, on lines 140 from Mihaljevac and 113 from Ljubljanica, respectively.

The buses would be able to go 300 kilometers on a single charge

According to Tomašević, the buses will reduce pollution in the green zones of the ŠRC Jarun sports and recreation center and Sljeme, where many Zagrebers enjoy spending their time every day.

Two low-floor vehicles will have a capacity of about 70 passengers each, and the two semi-low-floor buses will be able to take around 60 passengers. They would be able to go at least 300 kilometers on one charge. The charging system is set to be installed in the Podsused bus hub.

The city and ZET are also preparing the purchase of another 70 low-emission buses, some powered by electricity and others running on hydrogen. It would significantly speed up the decarbonization of the transport firm’s vehicle fleet.

Zagreb’s goal is to have only buses on electricity and hydrogen

ZET operates around 460 buses, according to its website. In October 2023, the local authority and the municipally-owned company signed a letter of intent with the European Investment Bank on technical assistance for the decarbonisation of public transport.

At the time, Croatian media reported the aim was to provide answers on how quickly ZET can switch to renewable energy sources, how much it would cost, and from which sources the funding could be obtained.

Last year, Mayor Tomislav Tomašević said the city would receive funding from the European Union for the purchase of the first batch from the planned 100 electric or hydrogen buses.

Zagreb’s goal, in his words, was to switch the entire ZET fleet to electricity and hydrogen.

By the end of 2026, the first quantities of hydrogen are supposed to be produced within the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley project, implemented by Croatia, Italy, and Slovenia.

In March, the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development said it earmarked EUR 29.6 million to subsidize the construction of hydrogen filling stations and electricity chargers.