The EBRD is supporting the development of greener public transport in Vilnius by providing a €38,23 million loan to the city's urban transport company JSC Vilniaus viesasis transportas (VVT) to upgrade its trolleybus fleet to modern standards.
The loan is complemented by a €7,65 million concessional loan provided by TaiwanICDF through the High Impact Partnership for Climate Action (HIPCA; also supported by Austria, Finland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain and the United Kingdom).
The EBRD's investment will enable VVT to purchase up to 91 modern battery-electric trolleybuses with n-motion charging (providing fully autonomous battery-electric driving for route flexibility and limited distances) and zero exhaust emissions. This will increase the quality, reliability and accessibility of Vilnius trolleybus services while supporting the company's transition to a fully electric vehicle fleet.
Improved daily commuting for Vilnius residents, including those with limited mobility, will promote the transition from private car use to public transport, contribute to significant reductions in local air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and help avoid 2.240 tonnes. Annual CO 2 emissions.
The investment will also act as a trigger project for Vilnius to join the EBRD's flagship Green Cities programme. The program supports cities transitioning to a greener future across all urban sectors and uses a systematic approach to identify, prioritize and address their most pressing environmental challenges.
Vilnius will be the first EBRD Green City in the Baltic states, in line with its recent selection as one of the European Union's Net Zero Cities (NZCs). The NZC program is part of the broader EU Green Deal with the ambition to achieve the urban climate. Neutrality by 2030.
Susan Goeransson, Head of European Infrastructure at the EBRD's Sustainable Infrastructure Group, said: “Vilnius is one of the largest cities and faster growing capitals in the Baltic states and we are proud to support investments for more sustainable, accessible, inclusive and reliable cities. transportation in the city. This is a project of great importance as it will tangibly improve the commute experience for Vilnius residents and encourage more people to use public transport. We are also pleased to include Vilnius in our Green Cities network and support them in achieving their climate goals. We hope this paves the way for other green cities in the region.”
Vilnius Mayor Remigijus Šimašius said: “Vilnius has already refurbished a large percentage of its buses. Now it's time to buy an electric bus that charges from the trolleybus catenary cable and can run part of the route without direct contact with the catenary cable. I am satisfied that we already have bank financing and that the purchasing procedures have been finalized. Soon, public transport will become even more attractive to passengers. We are also delighted that Vilnius will be part of the EBRD Green Cities programme, which will build on the city's significant green efforts over the past years and complete its goals of achieving climate neutrality by 2030 through the EU NetZeroCities programme.”
Darius Aleknavičius, CEO of VVT, said: “This project will enable VVT to purchase new electrically powered trolleybuses for autonomous (off-grid) operations with battery technology, zero exhaust emissions and modern standards in terms of comfort, accessibility, speed. and quality. As part of VVT's fleet modernization program, we are ready to replace all our aging vehicles in the future and increase our competitiveness in the market with the best price and operating costs.”
VVT is a 100 percent municipally owned operator of the city's buses and trolleybuses in the city and suburban networks. VVT was established in 2011 by combining the bus operator and the trolleybus operator under one roof.
The EBRD is a leading institutional investor, with €117 billion invested in 1,3 projects to date in Lithuania.