26.09.2025.
Today, a grant agreement was concluded with the company Zagreb Electric Tram Ltd. (ZET) signed by the minister of economy Ante Šušnjar, the president of the Management Board of ZET, Marko Bogdanović, and the director of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, Luka Balen. The contract, worth EUR 21,040,601.10, was signed under the call "Construction of infrastructure for charging electric buses".
The project, financed through the Addendum to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan 2021-2026, is aimed at decarbonising public transport and the main goal is to build charging infrastructure for electric buses at the location of Podsused Bus Depot. As part of the project, ZET will install 62 dual EV chargers, which will provide 124 charging points for electric low-floor buses. It is an investment promoting energy transition, sustainable mobility, and the reduction of CO2 emissions in the transport sector.
Minister of Economy Ante Šušnjar emphasised the importance of the project: "This is an important step towards the decarbonisation of our public transport. With an investment worth more than 21 million euros, we are directly investing in the decarbonisation and sustainable future of Zagreb. The modernisation of public transport is not only an environmentally friendly, but also a strategic decision that strengthens our energy independence and raises the quality of life of citizens."
The director of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, Luka Balen, reminded that other cities and municipalities are also committed to the goal of decarbonising transport, which is evident in the "Smart Cities" projects co-financed by the Fund. "With projects that include smart management, our local units are trying to reduce congestion and pressure on city roads and also offer citizens alternative forms of transport through city bicycle-sharing schemes, including cleaner city transport. I would like to point out that the Fund will soon announce a public call incentivising the purchase of electric cars for legal entities worth 21.2 million euros, which we are implementing in cooperation with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure. In addition, in cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, a call is being prepared for freight companies and taxi operators, which will have an additional EUR 45 million available through the Modernisation Fund."
The President of the Management Board of Zagreb Electric Tram Ltd. Marko Bogdanović thanked the Ministry of Economy and the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund for recognising the importance of this project for ZET and Zagreb and its value for the benefit of users of tehri services and fellow citizens, because it is a pivotal step forward and the beginning of decarbonisation of public transport in Zagreb. "After we were the first ones in Croatia to purchase electric buses for the public transport system, I am proud that ZET and Zagreb are once again spearheading the implementation of new technologies in this region by today’s signing of the Grant Agreement for the construction of an electric bus charging station. Thanks to this, ZET is following in the footsteps of other European public transport companies that have recognised the benefits of electrification of the bus fleet," said Bogdanović.
The rate of co-financing of eligible costs from the Recovery and Resilience Facility under this Call is 100%. The call was published on 31 December 2024, and ZET is one of 18 predetermined eligible applicants - public transport operators. The ZET project has successfully passed all stages of selection, and the Ministry of Economy adopted the Decision on financing on 12 August 2025. The total value of the project is EUR 27,436,209.48, while the amount of the awarded grant is EUR 21,040,601.10.
