Energy, Estonia, Financial Services, Good for Business, Transport

Aas said that the public transport of Estonia is more environment-friendly already now than it used to be and will be upgraded also in the future. 

"Estonia's plans for reducing CO2 for sure are among the most ambitious in the European Union, and we wish to use local resources as much as possible for the reduction of emissions. There are several hundred gas-powered buses using local biomethane on our roads already, major investments are about to be made in the electrification of the railway, and also pilot projects in the use of hydrogen are standing before us," Aas said. 

In accordance with the draft forwarded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications to market participants for approvals, a subsidy would be available per applicant for the acquisition of at least eight low-floor buses and related infrastructure for the operation of public bus services. Among other things, the applicant must establish at least two regular charging points and two fast charging points.

Also the use of batteries of electric buses for the stabilization of the power system will be piloted.

The data garnered from the pilot projects will enable us to make better decisions in the future, spokespeople for the ministry said.  

The buses must carry passengers at least for five years and their annual average kilometrage must be at least 40,000 kilometers. The buses would use renewable electricity.

In accordance with the plan, it will be possible to apply for the subsidy from the Environmental Investment Center starting from the first half of 2021.