Chinese bus manufacturer Yutong said it has delivered 68 battery-electric buses to northern Italy for deployment during a major winter sports event in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
While the company’s statement refers to a “world-class winter sports event,” the timing and location correspond with the Winter Olympic Games. Yutong is not listed as an official partner of the Games. The buses were delivered to Trentino Trasporti, which operates public transport services in the Trentino region, where several competition venues are located, including the cross-country skiing stadium in Tesero.
See also: Yutong Denies Remote Control Claims Over Electric Buses After Norwegian Cybersecurity Concerns
The electric buses are intended to transport spectators rather than athletes and have been integrated into the local public transport network ahead of the event’s opening. According to Yutong, the deployment is aimed at increasing capacity during peak demand while addressing operational challenges such as narrow urban streets and winter weather conditions.
The fleet consists of two 12-metre models—the U12 and the E12—alongside the 7-metre E7S midibus. Yutong described the configuration as a coordinated solution designed to serve different route profiles, from longer-distance transfers to urban feeder services.
See also: Yutong Delivers 400 Electric Buses To Pakistan In Largest ‘New Energy’ Fleet Deployment
Currently, 20 units of the U12 and eight units of the E12 are in operation on scheduled routes, which are being offered free of charge during the Olympic and Paralympic period. An additional 40 units of the E7S midibus are available for flexible deployment depending on passenger demand.
The delivery builds on Yutong’s earlier presence in northern Italy. In autumn last year, ASF Autolinee introduced seven Yutong electric buses into service in the city of Como.