Irizar-bodied Scania i4 biogas buses selected for Skånetrafiken intercity operations in Sweden

Scania will supply 27 biogas-powered buses to operator Nobina for regional public transport services operated on behalf of Skånetrafiken in southern Sweden.

Transport operator Nobina has signed an agreement with Scania for the deployment of 27 new biogas buses that will enter service on routes managed by public transport authority Skånetrafiken. The vehicles will operate on the Malmö-Lund and Kristianstad corridors and are scheduled to support the region’s ongoing use of renewable fuels in public transport.

The vehicles will be built by Irizar and supplied as the Scania Irizar i4 model. The order marks the first deployment of the model in Swedish public transport operations.

The new buses will run on compressed biogas, a fuel produced from waste-derived feedstocks. According to the companies, a significant share of Sweden’s compressed biogas is produced domestically, with production and consumption taking place within the country.

In the same area subject to Skanetrafiken’s authority, Volvo Buses will supply 47 electric intercity buses to the carrier Bergkvara by end-2027. Last year Nobina has ordered 180 Solaris electric buses for Malmö (including 36 bi-articulated).

Scania biogas buses for Skånetrafiken regional services

The vehicles have been specified according to Skånetrafiken’s requirements for longer-distance regional operations. The buses will be equipped with coach-style seating, onboard toilet facilities and additional interior features intended for intercity travel.

Scania states that the biogas powertrain contributes to low noise levels during operation. The buses will be introduced on routes linking Malmö, Lund and Kristianstad, strengthening the existing fleet of Scania biogas vehicles already operating for Skånetrafiken.

The agreement continues investments in renewable fuel-powered public transport in the Skåne region, where biogas has been adopted across several transport services.

Scania’s press material does not provide technical specifications regarding the length or passenger capacity of the vehicles. However, images distributed with the announcement appear to show three-axle Scania Irizar i4 buses. This configuration is commonly associated with 15-metre vehicles, a format widely used in Scandinavian regional and intercity transport services.

Scania Irizar i4 debuts in Swedish public transport

While new to Sweden, the Scania Irizar i4 has already been introduced in several European markets. The model has seen deployment particularly in Southern Europe, where biogas-powered buses are used in regional and intercity transport services.

Delivery of the buses will be carried out in cooperation with LECAB Lastbilar AB, Irizar’s representative in Sweden. The companies state that the collaboration will cover the process from vehicle production through delivery and entry into service.

In brief

• Who ordered the buses? Nobina ordered 27 biogas buses from Scania for services operated on behalf of Skånetrafiken.
• Where will the buses operate? They will be deployed on regional routes connecting Malmö, Lund and Kristianstad.
• Which model was selected? The vehicles will be supplied as Scania Irizar i4 buses.
• Why is the order notable? It marks the first use of the Scania Irizar i4 model in Swedish public transport operations.

“Sustainability is important to us, and the vehicles should also be easy to own. This is important for our drivers, our passengers, and for our mission to deliver reliable transport every day,” says Helena Ericson, Fleet Manager at Nobina.

“Biogas is a circular and locally produced solution that provides great climate benefits here and now. With the Scania Irizar i4, Nobina will receive a modern and comfortable bus that is quiet, energy-efficient and well-suited for regional travel. We are proud to continue to contribute to the sustainable development of public transport in the Skåne region,” says Rutger Hörndahl, Key Account Manager, Scania Sverige.