The Portuguese government created an incentive system for the acquisition of electric or hydrogen buses for collective public transport in the Alentejo Litoral, with maximum funding of 4.5 million euros per beneficiary and per operation. The regulation, published on September 14 in the Official Gazette through an order from the Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion, establishes a maximum co-funding rate of 100% on eligible expenditure.
The system, called "Local Sustainable Mobility Incentive System in the Alentejo Litoral," is funded by the Just Transition Fund through the Alentejo Regional Program 2030. In addition to the acquisition of vehicles with zero emission levels, the regulation also covers the installation of respective electric charging or hydrogen refueling infrastructure, with these costs limited to 20% of the total eligible expenditure of the operation.
Municipalities and the Intermunicipal Community (CIM) of Alentejo Litoral, as well as operators that provide municipal or intermunicipal public passenger transport services in that region, may apply for the support. Eligible costs correspond to the additional investments associated with the acquisition of zero-emission buses, calculated by comparison with equivalent vehicles that comply with the Euro VI standard.
The decree aims to support local sustainable mobility, reinforce the quality of service provided, and contribute to the decarbonization and energy transition of the transport sector. The new buses must guarantee facilitated access for people with reduced mobility and be used exclusively in the covered public transport services. The granting of incentives will depend on the opening of competitions by Alentejo 2030 and the approval of submitted applications.
