Rome is advancing its transition toward zero-emission public transport with an investment of approximately €116.7 million in new hydrogen and electric buses, alongside infrastructure to support the production and refuelling of green hydrogen.

The programme involves ATAC, Rome’s public transport operator, and is supported by funding from Italy’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT), with resources assigned through the Metropolitan City of Rome. The investment will support the acquisition of new zero-emission buses and the modernization of transport facilities, including the development of a dedicated hydrogen hub at Acilia.

€116.7 Million for Zero-Emission Public Transport

The planned investment is focused on expanding Rome’s electric and hydrogen-powered bus fleet.

Item of investment	Amount allocated	Brief description
New hydrogen buses	€83.6 million	Purchase of zero-emission vehicles for urban public transport.
New electric buses	€27.1 million	Enhancement of the electric fleet to reduce emissions and noise.
Acilia Electrolyzer	€6 million	Local production of green hydrogen intended for the new hydrogen buses.

The largest allocation, €83.6 million, will finance new hydrogen buses, while a further €27.1 million will be invested in electric buses.

The new vehicles are expected to be equipped with features designed to improve passenger comfort and accessibility, including facilities for people with reduced mobility, air conditioning, USB charging sockets, video surveillance and passenger-counting systems.

Acilia to Become a Green Hydrogen Hub

A central element of the programme is the development of a new green hydrogen hub at Acilia, in southern Rome.

Supported by approximately €6 million in European funding, the Acilia facility will include an electrolyzer for the local production of green hydrogen. The hydrogen will be used to refuel the new hydrogen-powered bus fleet, creating an integrated system in which the fuel is produced and supplied close to the vehicles' operating base.

The project is intended to make Acilia a strategic facility for Rome’s southern transport network while supporting the wider use of hydrogen in public mobility.

The administration has also indicated plans to make hydrogen produced at the facility available to private customers, potentially helping establish a broader hydrogen mobility ecosystem in the city.

Supporting Rome’s Zero-Emission Transport Network

The investment goes beyond the purchase of new buses. By combining hydrogen production infrastructure with the expansion of the electric fleet, Rome is developing the supporting infrastructure required to operate a larger zero-emission public transport network.

Hydrogen-powered buses can provide an alternative to conventional diesel vehicles for routes where battery-electric operation may present operational or range challenges. At the same time, expanding the electric fleet will allow the city to continue reducing emissions and noise across its urban transport system.

The Acilia project therefore represents an important component of Rome’s wider sustainable mobility strategy, linking vehicle procurement with energy production and refuelling infrastructure.

From Fleet Procurement to Hydrogen Infrastructure

The programme is expected to create requirements across several areas of the sustainable mobility supply chain, including hydrogen buses, electric buses, electrolyzers, hydrogen production systems, refuelling infrastructure, depot modernization, charging systems, engineering, installation and related technical services.

For companies operating in these sectors, investments of this scale can also signal future procurement opportunities as the infrastructure moves from planning and funding toward implementation.

The development of hydrogen production and refuelling capacity could further support the emergence of additional hydrogen-powered transport initiatives in Rome and potentially encourage private-sector participation in the city's developing hydrogen ecosystem.

A Step Forward for Rome’s Sustainable Mobility Goals

The investment represents a significant step in Rome’s transition toward cleaner public transport. By allocating funding to both hydrogen and electric buses while developing the infrastructure needed to support hydrogen operations, the city is pursuing a broader approach to zero-emission mobility.

The Acilia green hydrogen hub is particularly significant because it combines local hydrogen production with public transport applications and could eventually support private hydrogen users as well.

As ATAC moves forward with fleet procurement and depot modernization, the programme is expected to contribute to Rome’s long-term efforts to reduce transport emissions and expand sustainable mobility infrastructure.

GoodTenders tracks major public projects, procurement plans, tenders and contract opportunities across global markets, helping businesses stay informed about projects at different stages of development.

Access the Latest tenders on our platform to discover active opportunities and upcoming projects..

Register and get such leads on a daily basis matching your exact business profile.