Innovation, public procurement, public procurement for innovatoin, PPI, ProcuraMed, Interreg euro MED
Green Public Procurement (GPP) – Purchase of electric buses by Carris Metropolitana
An example of Green Public Procurement (GPP) in Portugal is Carris Metropolitana‘s purchase of electric buses in 2023 to replace diesel buses in public transport. This initiative, aligned with the ENCPE 2020 strategy, prioritised zero emissions, energy efficiency, and life-cycle costs in the procurement process.
Challenges addressed
The purchase addresses the challenges regarding CO2 emissions reductions and air quality improvement. Also, it considers that investment in electric fleet needs to be made gradually, not least because the local electricity grid needs to be able to cope with the pressure that a number of buses will suddenly represent.
Main objectives
The project’s main objective was the reduction of CO₂ emissions, the improvement of urban air quality, and to serve as a model for sustainable transportation solutions in other municipalities.
External resources
Facts
Project type Electric Mobility
Partners Mobility operators
Dates 2023
Funding The new electric buses were partially financed by the PRR – Recovery and Resilience Program through the Environmental Fund. The incentive given to transport companies consists of the difference between the cost of a diesel bus and that of an electric bus. Operators received approximately 70% of the investment they made in buying the new buses.
Project description
Carris Metropolitana contracts define that the fleet to be allocated to road operations must include at least 5% of clean and energy-efficient vehicles, as defined in two current European directives (Directive 2009/33/EC and 2019/1161). Gas and diesel vehicles are also part of the fleet of operators serving Carris Metropolitana.
The acquisition of electric vehicles has forced operators to invest in their facilities. For example, the implementation of 40 chargers as well as a new transformer station to meet new energy needs. The buses have 350 km of autonomy, so they can run all day and only return to the base for charging at night.
The Green Criteria Applied in the process was:
- Vehicles had to meet strict environmental performance standards, including zero emissions.
- Life-cycle costs (LCC), such as energy consumption and maintenance, were considered alongside the initial purchase price.
- Noise reduction and energy efficiency were critical factors in the procurement process.
This procurement aligns with GPP principles by incorporating environmental criteria, focusing on long-term sustainability, and using public purchasing power to promote green innovation and products.
The deployment of electric buses significantly reduced CO₂ emissions and improved air quality in urban areas. It set a benchmark for other municipalities in Portugal to adopt similar sustainable transportation solutions.
Impact and results
The case of Lisbon’s electric bus procurement showcases the potential of GPP to achieve tangible results. By prioritizing zero emissions, life-cycle costs, and energy efficiency, the project reduced CO₂ emissions, improved air quality, and set an example for other municipalities.
