Ireland boosts national procurement to fast-track electric bus rollout

Ireland’s public transport procurement plan is gaining momentum as the number of battery-electric buses in operation more than doubles from 96 in 2024 to over 200 in 2025, the Department of Transport confirmed.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) aims to transition the 1,800-vehicle Public Service Obligation fleet to zero-emission models by 2035, driving one of the country’s largest sustainable procurement programmes to date.

The NTA’s framework agreement with Wrightbus, signed in 2022 for 800 vehicles, remains central to the rollout. More than 400 units are already on order, with deliveries scheduled through 2026. Yet, infrastructure constraints—such as delayed planning permissions for charging depots—have temporarily slowed deployment.

The initiative also underscores the financial system’s role in green procurement. Allied Irish Banks (AIB) is funding large-scale projects under its green finance portfolio to support fleet operators and infrastructure providers. “AIB plays a key role in supporting electric transport through our green finance strategy,” said Yvonne McCarthy, head of sustainability research at the bank.

Each bus eliminates roughly 86 tonnes of CO₂ annually, translating to over 17,000 tonnes of avoided emissions per year from the existing fleet. Meanwhile, local authorities and regional towns, including Athlone, are joining the effort under the Sustainable Mobility Policy and the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.

Read the full article to see how Ireland’s electric bus procurement is shaping contracts, infrastructure, and funding opportunities across the national supply chain.