Support Programme for Electric and Hybrid Buses in Switzerland

A modern, yellow and white city bus travels along a city street with "Schaffhausen" written on it, indicating the location or destination. The street is lined with buildings, and a Swiss flag can be seen on one of the buildings. It is daytime, and the neighbourhood appears quiet, with an elderly lady walking on the side of the road.

Project type: Energy Efficiency

Project location: Switzerland

Project status: In operation, exclusive

Annual emission reduction of the whole project: ca. > 20,000 t (till 2030)

The FOEN-certified climate protection programme promotes the use of alternative drive technologies on Swiss roads. Replacing conventional diesel buses with electric and hybrid buses cuts down on fossil fuels and thus avoids CO₂ emissions.

The bus operator Eurobus is using hybrid buses for climate-friendly friendly passenger transport. Photo: Eurobus

In the Regionale Verkehrsbetriebe Baden-Wettingen (RVBW), the project has also been able to gain a public transport company as a partner. Photo: RVBW

The VBSH e-bus with rapid charging system draws energy from a battery installed on the roof, which is charged in a very short time both in the depot and at individual stops. Photo: Christoph Wahrenberger

Lucerne transport operations make use of three latest-generation hybrid buses. They are testimony to the vbl’s awareness that innovative technology should take into account environmental aspects too. Photo: VBL

The number of electric buses, hybrid buses and hybrid trolley buses on Swiss roads remains small. Conventional diesel buses are still the first choice for new acquisitions. Key reasons for this are the high investment costs and the lack of experience with alternative technologies.

The climate protection programme encourages the purchase of electric and hybrid buses. As a FOEN-registered programme, reduction certificates issued by the FOEN can be purchased for reductions in CO₂ emissions generated by the electric-, hybrid- and hybrid trolley buses. There is also a subsidy program for hydrogen buses by our partner organization KliK. The proceeds from the sale of the certificates enable bus operators to plan their capital outlays more profitably in the medium term. The support programme runs at least until mid of 2026, with a planned extension until 2030.

Where does the funding come from?

This climate protection programme has been made possible thanks to funding from the KliK Foundation. Go to our Info page to learn how the funding mechanism works for mandatory contributions to climate protection.

Interested?

Use our contribution calculator to calculate the individual subsidy contribution for your company. The programme is open to both public transport operators as well as private bus companies throughout Switzerland.

Contact

Foundation myclimate, Tel +41 44 500 43 50

Did you know...?

Thanks to the participation in the support programme for electric and hybrid buses...

your bus company receives a subsidy of up to CHF 140,000 for the purchase of an electric bus over 7 years
an electric bus reduces CO₂-emissions by up to 90 tons per year compared to a conventional diesel bus.
By operating electric and hybrid buses, a company contributes to increasing public awareness of alternative drive technologies and distinguishes itself as an environmentally conscious company.

This project contributes to 2 SDGs*

*as at the end of 2023. Find out how myclimate reports these SDGs in our FAQ.

The programme contributes to sustainable urban development with 235 additional buses using renewable technologies and helps prevent air and noise pollution.