Florence has officially launched the first phase of its electric bus transition, welcoming 25 new battery-powered vehicles financed through Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). The buses—manufactured in China by the company BYD—were presented on June 25 at the Autolinee Toscane (AT) depot on Via Pratese, where a new charging station with 22 bays has been installed.
This delivery marks the initial stage of a broader investment plan: a total of 70 electric buses produced by BYD are scheduled to arrive, along with 8 more from Iveco, by 2026. Once completed, the fleet renewal will bring nearly 100 zero-emission buses to Florence’s streets.
The new buses can each accommodate up to 85 passengers and will soon be operating on routes 6, 20, and 23. A second major charging facility is currently under construction in Viale XI Agosto, on the former site of the Olmatello nomad camp. This infrastructure—offering 52 charging bays—is expected to be completed by 2026.
The €49.7 million project, largely funded through national and EU programs, reflects Florence’s growing commitment to sustainable mobility. Jean-Luc Laugaa, CEO of AT, emphasized that the initiative is part of a wider effort to reduce emissions and modernize public transport with European support.
Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD and CEO of BYD Europe, expressed pride in supporting Florence’s green ambitions, stating that the company’s fully electric buses will help drive the city’s transition to cleaner mobility solutions.
The project is also drawing attention for another reason: the electric buses are manufactured in China by BYD, one of the world’s leading producers of battery-powered vehicles. While the initiative is funded through the European Union’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), the use of these public resources to support non-European companies has sparked debate. Critics argue that such funding should prioritize European manufacturers to strengthen the continent’s industrial base, especially in strategic sectors like green mobility. The discussion reflects broader tensions around industrial policy, competitiveness, and economic sovereignty within the EU.
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