The Government created an incentive system for the acquisition of electric or hydrogen buses for public collective transport in Alentejo Litoral, with maximum funding of 4.5 million euros per beneficiary and operation. The regulation was approved through an order from the Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion, published in the Official Gazette, and comes into force on Tuesday.
The system, designated "System of Incentives for Sustainable Local Mobility in Alentejo Litoral", is funded by the Fund for a Just Transition through the Regional Program Alentejo 2030. In addition to the acquisition of vehicles with zero emissions level, the support also covers the installation of electric charging or hydrogen refueling infrastructure.
Municipalities, the Intermunicipal Community of Alentejo Litoral, and operators providing public passenger transport services at municipal or intermunicipal level in the region may apply for the support. The maximum co-financing rate is 100% of eligible expenses, with infrastructure costs limited to 20% of total eligible expenditure.
The new buses must meet accessibility requirements for people with reduced mobility and be used exclusively in the public services covered by the support. The allocation of incentives will depend on the opening of competitions by Alentejo 2030 and the approval of the submitted applications.
