Text/Photo: Goran Kekić
On Saturday, April 5, Croatia, the City of Zagreb, and transport company ZET marked a historic milestone by taking a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable future.
On Saturday, April 5, Croatia, the City of Zagreb, and transport company ZET marked a historic milestone by taking a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable future.
The first electric bus began operating on the streets of Zagreb, sending a strong message of environmental responsibility and setting the foundation for a city that prioritizes sustainability in its development.
The first of four electric buses, purchased by the City of Zagreb and operated by ZET, was officially presented at Jarun, one of Zagreb’s key recreational areas, where it will also be deployed.
This first electric bus is not only a symbol of technological progress, but also a concrete response to today's climate challenges.
With this step, ZET positions itself at the forefront of the global movement to reduce CO2 emissions, improve air quality, and protect public health.
The bus is a semi-low-floor urban model, the Iveco Crossway LE City Elec. It measures 12 meters in length, 2,550 mm in width, and 3,422 mm in height.
Both double doors, each 1,200 mm wide, provide easy access, with an entrance height of 320 mm.
A manual ramp at the second (rear) door supports boarding for wheelchair users and passengers with strollers, with designated space available inside.
The bus has a maximum capacity of 68 passengers, including 35 seated.
It is equipped with air conditioning and features USB ports for mobile device charging.
The vehicle also includes a video surveillance system with four cameras, with live feed displayed on the driver's monitor for rear and front views.
Regarding the drivetrain, the electric motor delivers a maximum power of 240 kW (continuous power of 210 kW) and a torque of 3,600 Nm.
Instead of a conventional diesel engine, part of the lithium-ion battery system is installed in the rear engine compartment, with additional battery units located on the roof.
The total battery capacity is 416 kWh, distributed across six battery packs.
The bus offers a driving range of up to 310 kilometers on a single charge.
For now, charging is performed via a mobile charger (maximum output 150 kW) using a CCS2 socket, until fixed charging stations are installed at ZET’s depot.
The cost of the first delivered bus is €448,000 plus VAT.
This marks just the beginning of a new era of electric public transport for both Zagreb and Croatia.
Following the first delivery, a second bus from Iveco is expected soon, with two additional MAN Lion's City 12E buses scheduled to arrive during the summer.
All four electric buses will operate on lines 113 (Ljubljanica – Jarun) and 140 (Mihaljevac – Sljeme).
These are the first buses powered by alternative energy sources to enter service in Croatia, making Croatia the last EU member state to begin operating electric buses.
This initial rollout precedes a major tender from the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, aiming to procure more than 100 new buses for Croatia—of which 60 to 70 are planned for Zagreb.
