A Major Leap for Croatian Transit
The streets of Zagreb are getting a significant high-voltage makeover. The city’s municipal public transport operator, ZET, has officially put 62 new electric buses into service, marking a pivotal moment in Croatia's commitment to sustainable urban mobility. The fleet, which includes a mix of solo, articulated, and midi-buses, represents a total investment of approximately 56.8 million euros. This acquisition is far more than a simple fleet renewal; it is a calculated strike against city noise and carbon emissions, bringing Zagreb’s public transit network firmly into the electric age.
With this deployment, Zagreb has achieved a remarkable 20% electrification of its total bus fleet. According to city leadership, this is only the beginning of a ten-year master plan to fully transition the ZET bus network to electric propulsion, aiming to replace all remaining internal combustion vehicles within the next seven to eight years.
The Fleet Breakdown
The new arrivals comprise a diverse range of vehicles tailored for different urban route demands. MAN provides the backbone of the heavy-duty fleet, including 30 Lion’s City 12E solo buses and 26 Lion’s City 18E articulated buses. These models are engineered for efficiency, offering ranges of 500 kilometers and 450 kilometers respectively under optimal conditions. This extended range allows the buses to complete full workdays without requiring mid-shift charging, which is vital for maintaining the strict scheduling required in a bustling capital.
Complementing these are six Iveco Feniksbus FBI 83 ME midi-buses, featuring specialized bodywork by the Serbian firm Feniksbus. Designed for narrower streets or lower-density routes, these units offer a 260-kilometer range. Every vehicle in this new 62-unit fleet is outfitted with modern passenger-centric technology, including climate control systems, advanced safety monitoring, video surveillance, and integrated USB ports for commuters.
Infrastructure and Future-Proofing
The success of this transition relies as much on infrastructure as it does on the vehicles themselves. To support the new fleet, Zagreb has commissioned a state-of-the-art electric bus depot in the Podsused district. The 8,500-square-metre facility is a powerhouse, featuring 67 charging stations, each equipped with dual charging points for a total capacity of 134 simultaneous connections. With a connected load of 3.5 megawatts, the facility ensures that the entire fleet is topped up overnight, ready for the next day's service cycle.
Why It Matters
- Financial backing: Roughly 80% of the €56.8 million bus procurement was funded by EU resources via the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), highlighting how European climate policy is actively reshaping urban transport in smaller markets.
- Scalability: The Podsused depot is just the pilot site. City officials have already acknowledged that this facility will eventually be insufficient for their 500-bus target, with plans for two additional major charging hubs already in the development pipeline.
- Urban health: Beyond the immediate carbon reduction, the shift to electric buses provides a substantial boost to quality of life through the reduction of noise pollution, creating a quieter, cleaner commute for all Zagreb residents.
