TUA Abruzzo Acquires 40 Low-Floor Electric Urban Buses
Daimler Buses Italia and STI (Sviluppo Tecnologico Italiano) were the successful bidders in a tender organized by the regional transport operator TUA Abruzzo in September 2025. The contract was officially awarded on November 11, 2026.
The tender covered two categories of low-floor urban buses, including an option for eight additional vehicles. The proposal comprises a total of 18 vehicles with a maximum length of 11 meters, and 22 Class I buses with a maximum length of 12.48 meters.
The consortium will be responsible for the planning, construction, and maintenance of the necessary charging and power supply infrastructure at TUA’s facilities on Via Aterno in Pescara.
The contract is valued at an estimated 28.04 million euros—a reduction of approximately 3.92 million euros compared to the initial estimate of 31.97 million euros. The entire investment project has been funded through fleet renewal and sustainable mobility programs, drawing on two public funding sources: the European Regional Development Fund (channeled through the Abruzzo region) and resources allocated under Italy’s National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Mobility (managed by the Pescara municipal government).
A key factor in the evaluation of the proposals was battery capacity and the resulting range of the vehicles. The new electric buses are expected to be capable of completing full daily shifts in regular service without the need for intermediate recharging during their routes. This strategic transition will allow TUA Abruzzo to progressively and efficiently replace its current diesel buses with a fleet of electric vehicles, on a one-for-one basis. With the addition of 40 new vehicles, the electric bus fleet in the city of Pescara will reach a total of 60 units. Currently, the fleet operating on regular daily urban routes consists of approximately 90 vehicles, excluding reserve vehicles and trolleybuses.
This investment demonstrates TUA’s commitment to the continuous renewal of its fleet, made possible by funding provided by the Abruzzo region and the Municipality of Pescara,” stated Gabriele De Angelis, President of TUA. “By 2027, our goal is to manage urban transport in Pescara without diesel buses, relying primarily on electric buses and, to a lesser extent, natural gas-powered buses. This represents a significant step toward implementing a public transport system that aims to be more modern, efficient, and sustainable for the city’s residents.”
The contract covers not only the acquisition of the vehicles but also the construction of charging infrastructure at the Via Aterno facility. Canopies equipped with photovoltaic systems and charging stations will be built to serve a total of 24 parking spaces. Furthermore, the electrical installation will be designed with a connection capacity exceeding what is required for the initial 40 buses, facilitating future fleet expansion without the need for major modifications.
The charging facility will feature 24 parking spaces covered by solar canopies, equipped with charging units and connected to the electrical grid. The project schedule stipulates that the execution planning will be completed within 45 days, followed by the necessary technical inspections and an estimated 180-day construction period. It is estimated that the charging facilities will be operational between April and May 2027, and that the delivery of the first buses will take place between June and July of the same year. So far, no specific information has been provided regarding the exact Daimler models to be supplied. However, Daimler Buses has announced the upcoming introduction of the new generation of the eCitaro for 2028.
