Stockholm’s public transport company, SL, is set to significantly expand its electric bus fleet, signaling a major commitment to sustainable urban mobility in the Swedish capital and its surrounding areas.
SL has announced plans to launch three tenders for a total of 380 new electric buses, which are scheduled to enter service from 2026 onwards. This ambitious initiative aims to transition all public transport buses in Stockholm and several neighboring municipalities to electric vehicles within the next few years. Currently, there are only 29 electric buses operating in the SL area.
According to bussmagasinet.se, approximately one-third of SL’s fleet will be converted to zero-emission drives by 2026, marking a significant milestone in the region’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality.
The first tender will focus on bus operations in Järfälla and Upplands-Bro, with the contract currently held by Nobina set to expire in August 2026. The second tender will cover bus services in Södertälje and Nykvarn, while the third tender will encompass Stockholm city center and the island of Lidingö. The latter contract is currently held by Keolis.
SL has already made significant progress in transitioning to electric buses, with additional vehicles planned for deployment in 2024. This autumn, operator Keolis will introduce 190 electric buses in Solna, Sundbyberg, Sollentuna, and Bromma. In the following winter, Nobina will add 200 electric buses to its operations in Nacka, Värmdö, Huddinge, Botkyrka, and Söderort.
These efforts underscore SL’s commitment to sustainable public transport solutions and align with Sweden’s broader goals of achieving carbon neutrality in the transportation sector. The expansion of the electric bus fleet in Stockholm is a significant step towards creating a cleaner and more environmentally friendly urban transport system.
