An aid package totaling 40 million euros has been approved by the European Commission for the purchase of gas (electricity/hydrogen) zero-emission buses and related infrastructure for the passenger transport sector on public roads in Portugal.
As part of the aid plan, zero-emission buses will be purchased (most notably by using electricity or hydrogen), and related refueling or charging stations will be installed or upgraded.
Known as the “Portuguese scheme” for aid, it consists of two sub-measures to support the purchase of zero-emission buses and the installation (or upgrade) of the related refueling or recharging infrastructure.
Applicants will be funded through non-refundable direct grants, and recipients will be chosen in an open, transparent, and binding bidding process.
As a result, Brussels noted that this measure will boost the use of emission-free public buses, thus helping to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and other pollutants, in accordance with European Union (EU) climate and environmental objectives, as well as the goals set by the European Ecological Convention.
The aid is positive in terms of enhancing the European Union’s environmental and climate goals, outweighing its potential impact on competition and trade that can result from state aid.
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