Croatia completes funding round for 206 electric buses, advancing clean public transport

The Republic of Croatia has concluded its significant funding initiative for the procurement of battery-electric buses and associated charging infrastructure, accelerating the decarbonisation of public transport across the country. The programme, co-financed by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) with support from European Union resources, supports public transport operators in deploying modern zero-emission vehicles, replacing older diesel fleets and improving service quality for passengers.

National programme: scope and objectives

Croatia’s “Programme for the Procurement of Vehicles with Alternative Drivetrains for Public Local and Regional Transport” mobilised a total budget of €163 million to support the acquisition of 206 new electric buses and the rollout of corresponding charging ecosystems across 17 cities and municipalities. The initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from urban and suburban transit, increase energy efficiency in public transport, and align Croatian cities with European mobility and climate goals.

According to recent government announcements, the final funding round covered seven municipalities — Jastrebarsko, Zaprešić, Sisak, Osijek, Pula, Zadar and Pisarovina — enabling these operators to procure 68 electric buses and related charging equipment valued at approximately €53.3 million, of which around €41.9 million is provided in the form of direct financial support.

The contract signing ceremony took place on 29 January 2026 at the Croatian Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure in Zagreb, with participation from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister responsible for transport, highlighting the strategic importance of the project for national sustainable mobility policy.

Deployment and local impact

The newly funded electric buses are set to be deployed across local public transport networks, with anticipated delivery and operation beginning before summer 2026. Participating local authorities — including Osijek (19 vehicles), Zadar (13), Pula and Sisak (12 each), Zaprešić (7), Jastrebarsko (4) and Pisarovina (1) — will integrate these zero-emission buses into their existing services, significantly upgrading local fleets and reducing operational emissions.

This latest round completes the implementation cycle of the nationwide funding call, bringing the total count of electric buses procured under this NRRP programme to 206. Croatian authorities and stakeholders emphasise that this achievement represents a key transition point from earlier investments — which included diesel buses with lower emissions — toward a fully electric future for urban and regional public transport.

Strategic relevance and EU context

The Croatian electric bus procurement aligns with EU climate and mobility frameworks, notably the AFIR (Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation) and the Clean Vehicles Directive, which encourage the uptake of zero-emission public transport fleets and the deployment of supporting charging infrastructure across member states. By facilitating the systemic transition to electric buses, Croatia contributes to broader European objectives of reducing CO₂ emissions in the transport sector, improving urban air quality, and fostering energy resilience.

Moreover, the integration of electric buses supports local sustainability commitments and enhances service attractiveness for passengers, often resulting in quieter, cleaner, and more efficient public transport options. The Croatian programme, financed through EU-backed recovery funds, also strengthens municipal capacities to operate and maintain zero-emission fleets in the coming decade.

Source

https://mmpi.gov.hr/vijesti-8/potpisani-ugovori-za-68-novih-elektricnih-autobusa/25623 

Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the European Commission.