Electric buses have entered service in Naples for the first time, with 22 zero-emission vehicles now operating on major urban routes as part of a broader transition to a cleaner public transport fleet, local operator Azienda Napoletana Mobilità (ANM) said.
The rollout marks the initial phase of a €180 million electrification programme funded through Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), under which the city procured 253 electric buses from Chinese manufacturer BYD, Italy’s Iveco, and China’s Higer Bus. ANM began operating the vehicles on May 31.
The first batch includes a mix of vehicle sizes, ranging from compact 6.85-metre Higer minibuses with seating for 31 passengers to 12.2-metre BYD models with a total capacity of 86. Several Iveco vehicles have also entered circulation. ANM said the varied fleet was selected to match the needs of diverse routes across the city’s network.
“By introducing buses of different sizes, we’re ensuring electric vehicles can serve all areas of Naples efficiently,” ANM said in a statement. Eight of the buses are now running along the Carlo III and Via delle Puglie corridors, while six are assigned to routes operated from the Cavalleggeri d’Aosta depot. Four lines—C78, 654, C65 and 3M—have been fully electrified. Additional vehicles will supplement existing diesel and methane-fueled fleets on lines including C16, C63, C42, 132, 618, 194, 182, and 151.
The €180 million programme includes €145 million earmarked for vehicle procurement and €35 million for the development of charging infrastructure. All new electric buses are charged overnight at ANM depots.
Once all 253 buses are delivered, ANM said its urban fleet will primarily consist of electric vehicles, supported by approximately 100 diesel and 80 methane-powered units.