Croatia has approved funding for seven additional electric bus projects, enabling the deployment of 68 new battery-electric buses and bringing the total supported fleet under a national subsidy programme to 206 vehicles across 17 municipalities, according to the government.
The Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure said it had issued the final funding decisions under its Programme for the Procurement of Vehicles with Alternative Drivetrains for Public Local and Regional Transport, as reported by Balkan Green Energy News. The programme has a total budget of €163 million and is co-financed through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan using European Union funds.
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The latest funding round covers public transport operators in Jastrebarsko, Zaprešić, Sisak, Osijek, Pula, Zadar and Pisarovina. The projects involve the procurement of 68 electric buses and related charging infrastructure, representing an investment of about €53.3 million, with €41.9 million provided through state subsidies.
“With this signing, we conclude the cycle of a truly commendable project, as it represents the ecological transformation of public transport and a clear commitment by the Government of the Republic of Croatia,” said Oleg Butković, who also serves as deputy prime minister.
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The programme aims to accelerate Croatia’s transition to low-emission public transport, aligning the country with wider European trends. Despite recent policy momentum, adoption has so far been limited. Data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association show that only nine electric buses were registered in Croatia in 2024 and 2025 combined.
Further electrification is expected in the coming years. Zagreb’s public transport operator ZET has announced plans to fully electrify its bus fleet within the next decade, including the purchase of up to 500 battery-electric buses. Officials say the completed subsidy programme should help drive higher adoption rates and support the long-term decarbonisation of urban transport.