A new contract for 500 battery-powered and fuel cell-powered buses (for the first time) has been awarded by Italian central purchasing body Consip to a total of 8 manufacturers. Such contracts worth a total of 327 million euros. It was issued in May 2023. Consip has awarded late last year the tender for as many as 1,000 e-buses.

Karsan everywhere first time for TAM and Ebusco

And surprises are not lacking. Let’s mention the Slovenian TAM, that is now entering the Italian market with its short vehicles (some 30 units are awaited in Sardinia). TAM has been awarded the first lot together with Karsan, for a total of 150 battery-electric midibuses with a length between 7 and 8 meters.

Coming to the second lot – suburban buses in Class I – the 250 units up for grabs have been awarded to Otokar, Solaris, Iveco, BYD, Karsan (that in the meanwhile has started deliveries in Bologna) and Ebusco. Yes, it’s not a mistake: for the Dutch company, which has set the goal to deliver between 250 and 300 vehicles in the year 2023 (with 121 units registered in the first half of the year) and is facing though time on the stock exchange, it might be the entry in the Italian market.

Let’s get to the third lot. It covers 70 Class II e-buses. BYD, Iveco and still Karsan have been awarded.

Fourth and last lot is the hydrogen one, consisting of 30 FCEVs: Solaris, Karsan and Industria Italiana Autobus.

Type of vehicleUnitsAwarded to
E-buses 7-8m150TAM Europe
Karsan
Suburban e-buses Class 1250Otokar
Solaris
Iveco
BYD
Karsan
Ebusco
Suburban e-buses Class 270BYD
Iveco
Karsan
Suburban e-buses with fuel cell30Solaris
Karsan
Industria Italiana Autobus

Two purchase options are provided for administrations:

  • in the case of purchasing buses without specific customizations, PAs will be able to place a direct order on the basis of the best technical-economic offer, in relation to price and performance (e.g., consumption, vehicle safety, passenger comfort)
  • in the case of the purchase of buses with specific customizations, PAs will be able to relaunch with a specific tender the competitive comparison between the awardees of the Framework Agreement, selecting the supplier with the criterion of the most economically advantageous offer.

Highlights

Ultrafabrics textiles aim at transforming bus and coach interiors

For over 25 years, Ultrafabrics has redefined performance textiles, blending luxury, durability, and sustainability to create an innovative alternative to PVC and vinyl. Trusted by top brands like Jaguar Land Rover, McLaren, MAN, and even taking off into space with Virgin Galactic, Ultrafabrics is i...

BMZ Group and CALB: a partnership for Europe’s sustainable future

Forecasts by STRAT ANTICIPATION (“Risk assessment and success factors for mobility electrification”) indicate that in 2035, China will still have the highest demand for electric vehicle batteries, although its market share will decrease. At the same time, Europe is expected to double its demand for ...

Related articles

Italy: e-buses covered +40% of the city bus market in Q1 2025

In the first quarter of 2025, Italy registered 1,123 new buses over 8 tons, marking a 7.4% decline compared to the same period in 2024 (1,213 units), according to data from ANFIA covered on our sister media Autobusweb. Despite the overall contraction, strong performances in the coach and electric se...