Record Electric Bus Expansion in Budapest Gets Green Light
- 20 Jul 2026 11:41 AM
Budapest is preparing for its largest-ever electric bus expansion, aiming to introduce at least 250 new electric buses along with the necessary charging infrastructure, Gergely Karácsony, the city's mayor said.
"This will mean cleaner air, quieter streets, modern public transport and a greener Budapest," Karacsony said in a post on Facebook.
The project is already in preparation in cooperation with Budapest Transport Centre BKK and transport company BKV, he added.
The goal, he said, was to fund the investment through European Union resources, covering new buses, depots and a full charging infrastructure upgrade.
In a joint statement, BKK and BKV described the project as Hungary's largest bus electrification initiative to date, including the procurement of at least 250 new low-floor electric buses and the development of the required charging infrastructure.
The companies said they have been working on the project since March. The new buses will gradually replace Budapest's ageing diesel fleet, with over 400 buses currently in operation that are more than a decade old, they said, adding that this number could rise to over 600 by 2029 without an upgrade.
Budapest already operates electric buses. ArrivaBus, BKK's service provider, currently runs 54 fully electric vehicles, with 28 more expected by 2027, bringing the total to 82.
Additionally, BKV has operated a few first-generation electric midibuses for over a decade, primarily serving the Buda Castle area.
Photo: BKK
Source: MTI – Hungary’s national news agency since 1881.
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