Tper, in Bologna tender for 127 hydrogen buses

The tender for the purchase of hydrogen buses envisaged for the Bologna basin as part of the energy mix project that Tper, in agreement with the Municipality and the Metropolitan City of Bologna, is putting in place to meet the challenging goal of carbon neutrality for 2030. As is known, in fact, Tper expects to achieve zero emissions in the urban area of ​​Bologna, 20 years ahead of the goal that the European Union has set a horizon of 2050. Again with a view to decarbonisation, the use of clean energy and the diversification of energy supply, this fleet will be completed by a quota of vehicles powered by locally produced biomethane, a fossil-free and renewable fuel. The tender for hydrogen buses sees a tender for 127 12-metre buses, as well as an important option for another 140 vehicles. The buses are expected to be in service in Bologna and Ferrara by 2026. The tender also includes the supply of spare parts for the entire life cycle.

The purchase of the buses is financed with resources from the Pnrr – the tender basis for the 127 buses is 76,200,000 – and, for a portion of optional resources, it will be possible to refer to other sources of funding including the National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Mobility. For this project, as well as for other constructions and works financed in every area with Pnrr funds, the issue of the significant increase in inflation and the generalized increase in the prices of supplies was raised. Discussions are underway at an institutional level on the possible adjustment of public funds allocated also for the purchase of vehicles. Since, at the moment, no national coverage has been found, Tper has planned to cover any extra costs by co-financing with its own resources. The tender documentation will be published on the Tper procurement portal. The award is expected in the coming months. The supply will take place in several phases: 34 buses in Bologna and 3 in Ferrara by 2024 and the remainder by June 2026.