Transitioning from a region with public transportation based on diesel buses to a region with e-bus fleets requires ample expertise in different fields. A wide range of themes must be covered in order to initiate and support e-bus development. The project concentrates on the exchange of experience between partner regions at different stages of e-bus operation development, thereby serving regions struggling with this highly technical and fast developing field.

The project supports the transition towards low carbon mobility and more efficient public transport. It promotes the uptake of e-buses in new regions and supports the expansion of existing e-fleets. It facilitates the integration of electricity production based on renewables and low carbon electrified public transport. Through new ideas and better policies, the project promotes both the demand and supply side of electricity from clean renewable sources and the subsequent transitioning towards a low carbon economy.

eBussed will engage regions from all directions with and without practical experience on e-buses. The project will increase capacities and knowledge among its partner regions via a multi-level exchange of experiences and cross-regional pollination of ideas to better support the transition towards fully electrified bus fleets and low carbon mobility.

Main project results will be:

• increased measurability for e-bus deployment among partner regions via the introduction of the e-bus readiness indicators,
• increased capacities of partners and regional stakeholders to make informed decisions on bus fleet electrification as a result of thematic cross-fertilization workshops and other project outputs,
• increased knowledge of policy makers and public officials to recognise the barriers and drivers inhibiting or promoting e-bus deployment,
• increased capacities and knowledge among policy makers and public officials to link e-bus deployment with renewable electricity production,
• increased knowledge of policy makers and public officials on all facets of e-bus procurement and fleet technological and user-related management,
• improved policy instruments (4 ERDF policies and 2 local plans): introduction or integration of the e-bus theme into the policy instruments,
• improved governance or supporting the theme by proposing new project ideas or funding,
• implemented 6 local action plans supporting e-bus development in the partner regions.

Main data of the project:

Project Name: Building capacities for European-wide e-bus deployment

Project code: PGI05948

Partners:

• Turku University of Applied Science – Finland
• Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg – Germany
• Province of Utrecht – Netherlands
• HU University of Applied Science Utrecht – Netherlands
• Ministry for Gozo – Malta
• Transport Malta – Malta
• South Transdanubian Regional Innovation Agency – Hungary
• Province of Livorno – Italy

Project budget in EUR: 1,474,548.00 €
ERDF funding in EUR: 1,253,365.80 €
Funding program: Interreg EUROPE
Project duration: 01.08.2019 – 31.07.2023.

(More information: https://www.interregeurope.eu/ebussed/)
The project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and Hungary.