Lithuania’s capital receives million-dollar loan for electrifying public transport
The public transportation operator VVT in Lithuania’s Vilnius continues to work intensively on electrifying its fleet. Thanks to a loan totaling 110 million euros from CEB and the EIB, the city can acquire 161 zero-emission buses along with the necessary charging infrastructure. The Lithuanian capital aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2030.
Image: EIB
Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, has set a goal to become climate neutral by 2030. For this reason, the public transportation authority Vilniaus Viešasis Transportas (VVT) is continuously expanding its electric fleet. As early as 2025, an order was placed for 145 electric buses, a measure funded by 55 million euros in EU grants to acquire a total of 275 electric buses.
110 million euros from EIB and CEB for emission-free buses and charging infrastructure
A loan of 110 million euros is now providing further momentum for the development of public transportation in Vilnius. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) are each contributing 55 million euros to this financing package, which will be used to acquire an additional 161 new electric and hydrogen buses as well as to expand the corresponding charging infrastructure.
According to the EIB, this will create one of the largest zero-emission bus fleets in the Baltic region in this city of 600,000 inhabitants. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2027. VVT aims to build 145 new charging stations and modernize existing depots. Older diesel and liquefied gas vehicles are set to be phased out. The introduction of these new buses is intended not only to reduce smog and noise in Vilnius but also to improve comfort for passengers.
"Vilnius shows how European cities can turn their climate goals into concrete improvements for their citizens," comments EIB Vice President Karl Nehammer. "Together with the Council of Europe’s Development Bank, we are helping to create cleaner buses, better public transportation, and a healthier urban environment for hundreds of thousands of people."
VVT Chairman Ignas Degutis expressed his gratitude: “This financing enables us to carry out one of the most ambitious modernization programs for public transportation in VVT’s history. We sincerely thank the EIB and CEB for their trust and partnership. Together, we are investing in 161 zero-emission buses and the necessary infrastructure for their reliable operation, thereby providing cleaner, quieter, and more comfortable rides for Vilnius residents.”
The credit package is part of a broader modernization initiative: in addition to the EIB and CEB, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) as well as the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) are also involved in further expansion and renovation measures. For the first time, four international partners are jointly financing an infrastructure project in the Baltic region.