The Serbian capital of Belgrade plans to acquire 100 electric buses from Chinese manufacturer Higer in preparation for Expo 2027, with the new fleet to be deployed ahead of the international event. The procurement includes a mix of battery-electric and supercapacitor-powered vehicles and forms part of the city’s efforts to modernize its public transport system and reduce emissions during the three-month exposition.
According to local news outlet eKapija, the order comprises 50 battery-electric buses and 50 buses powered by supercapacitors. Among the 100 vehicles will be 15 double-articulated electric buses, each 25 metres long, which will serve two key routes during the event. Nine of the large units are set to operate between the Serbian National Stadium station and the Expo grounds, while the remaining six will connect the Expo site to the Block 45 neighbourhood.
The remainder of the buses will be deployed across the city, though exact route allocations have not yet been disclosed. Delivery and commissioning of the entire fleet are scheduled to take place before mid-2027, ahead of the Expo’s launch in May of that year.
All units will be supplied by Higer Bus, China’s third-largest exporter of electrified buses in 2024 behind BYD and Yutong. Following the conclusion of Expo 2027 in August, the vehicles will become part of the regular fleet operated by GSP Belgrade, the city’s public transport company.
To support the incoming electric buses, Belgrade is concurrently expanding its charging infrastructure. This includes the installation of opportunity chargers at terminal stations to accommodate the new fleet and ensure efficient operation during and after the Expo.