Zhytomyr rejects EBRD loan for electric buses amid energy crisis

Zhytomyr has declined a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) intended to upgrade its public transport fleet, including the purchase of trolleybuses and electric buses. The decision was announced by City Council Secretary Halyna Shymanska during the November 25 session.

"The package included electric buses with charging infrastructure and trolleybuses capable of autonomous operation. Given the current situation with energy and electricity supply in the country, taking electric buses would be a vector to nowhere. Therefore, we decided to refuse this loan," she said.

In December 2024, the EBRD had approved a tender for the purchase of range-capable trolleybuses, electric buses, and related equipment for Zhytomyr. The total project cost was €17 million: €10 million in loan funds, €6 million in grant support, and €1 million in municipal co-financing.

Zhytomyr had planned to acquire 20 trolleybuses with autonomous travel of up to 20 km without an overhead contact line, as well as 15 electric buses, according to Zhytomyr.info.

Despite the contract’s cancellation, the city will still have to pay €2.5 million for the services of legal advisers who worked on the project.

• On November 26, it emerged that Cherkasy plans to purchase more than 40 new trolleybuses using EBRD loan and grant financing.