Chariot electric bus is 6.8 meters long and has a capacity of 11 seated and up to 21 standing passengers. The vehicle offers an estimated range of approximately 400 km on a single charge and is equipped with one door. The bus features a low-floor design and includes a ramp for wheelchairs and baby strollers, ensuring accessibility for all passengers. For enhanced safety, the vehicle is fitted with a video surveillance system.

The delivery also includes an 80 kW charging station manufactured by Lubinsen.

The new transport scheme will comply with all environmental requirements and will cover as much of the municipality’s population as possible. The electric vehicles will be used primarily within the city of Sandanski, while smaller electric buses are also planned for servicing intercity routes.

According to the Municipality of Sandanski, the new public transport system is expected to become operational around May 1.

Find out more about our project in Sandanski here.

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• From January to September 2025, 6,444 electric buses were registered across the EU — that’s a 49% increase compared to the same period last year.

• If you include the UK and EFTA countries, the number goes up to 9,346 units, a 52% jump year-on-year.

• Electric (and plug-in hybrid) buses now account for 22% of all new bus registrations (for buses over 3.5 tons).

What’s Driving the Growth?

• The overall bus and coach market grew by 3.6%, reaching 28,417 units by the end of Q3.

• Major markets like Poland (+16.9%) and Germany (+12.8%) saw strong growth.

• On the flip side: Italy, Spain, and France saw declines in their total bus markets.

• Despite the electric boom, hybrid-electric buses dropped by 32.7%, and diesel buses — while still dominant — fell slightly in market share.

Country Highlights

• Italy almost doubled its electric bus registrations to 912 units, helped by regional funds and public tenders.

• Belgium saw a massive 389% spike, Sweden jumped 484%, and Austria grew by 71% in electric bus registrations.

• Germany delivered over 1,000 e-buses, but the UK remains Europe’s largest single e-bus market, with 2,117 units registered.

Chariot Motors: The shift toward electric buses in Europe is accelerating quickly. As an innovator in electric mobility, we offer out fast charging UC and slow charging battery electric buses to all private and public transport operators in Europe.

Source: Sustainablebus.com

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The event brought together representatives of more than 30 municipalities from across the country, experts in urban mobility, as well as representatives of financial institutions and the business community. The main focus of the forum was on the challenges and opportunities for developing sustainable urban transport in Bulgaria.

Key Topics of the Conference

• Trends and challenges in parking management in Bulgaria and Europe, as well as intelligent parking management solutions;
• Green policies and innovations for cleaner cities, including challenges and perspectives related to electric vehicles;
• New technologies and regulatory aspects in parking payment systems;
• Traffic control through municipal video surveillance systems and the role of municipalities and businesses in building a sustainable transport ecosystem;
• Challenges and proposals for the sustainable development of the sector;
• Sustainable urban mobility and the electrification of public transport as key factors for reducing emissions and improving quality of life in urban areas.

During the opening session, Ms. Temenuzhka Lyutskanova, Director of the “Ecology and Transport” Directorate at Kazanlak Municipality, welcomed the participants and presented the municipality’s good practices in the fields of parking management and urban mobility.

Chariot Motors participated in the conference as a sponsor, presenting its successfully implemented projects in Europe and Israel, as well as its range of battery-electric buses.

On the second day of the conference, Mr. Ivan Shterev from Chariot Motors delivered a presentation on the company’s current portfolio and offered a comparison between the two energy storage technologies used in its electric buses – ultracapacitor and battery-based systems. He emphasized the advantages of electric buses in achieving sustainable and environmentally friendly urban and intercity transport.

• You can view Ivan Shterev’s presentation from the event here.

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⚡ In a European Context:

• In 2024, the EU average for zero-emission city buses reached 49% – with 46% battery-electric and 3% hydrogen-powered.

• The Netherlands, Finland, and Iceland lead the way with 100% electric buses in new registrations.

• Bulgaria shares its position with Romania and Greece, where electric buses also account for 67% of new fleet additions.

🏅 Why this matters:

• Cleaner urban environment – electric buses reduce noise and fine particulate pollution, improving air quality in cities.

• Compliance with EU directives – Bulgaria meets the requirements of the Clean Vehicle Directive, which mandates that at least 20% of public procurement be for “clean vehicles” by 2025, and 30% by 2030.

• Improved national image and positioning – while not among the top leaders, Bulgaria outperforms many more developed economies.

🚌 Local examples and ambitions:

• Sofia operates over 60 battery-electric buses and 49 ultracapacitor buses, manufactured by Chariot Motors.

• Burgas has fully electrified its urban fleet with 56 electric buses and a dedicated charging network funded by European programs.

• Plovdiv, Pernik, and Haskovo are launching new projects for over 100 electric buses in 2024.

🧭 Where should Bulgaria go next?

• Accelerate public procurement so that by 2030, at least 90–100% of newly purchased buses are zero-emission.

• Introduce stronger subsidies and tax incentives to support municipal transitions.

• Build smart charging infrastructure integrated with solar energy, following the model already implemented in Bourgas.

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As cities around the world intensify efforts to achieve zero-emission targets, innovative transport solutions are taking center stage. One of the most promising comes from Electreon, a company that delivers wireless charging technology embedded directly into road infrastructure. Rather than relying on oversized batteries and long overnight charging cycles, Electreon’s system allows electric buses to charge dynamically while in motion or during brief stops.

Why Wireless Charging Matters

• Smaller Batteries, Lower Costs
  Frequent opportunity charging throughout the day enables the use of smaller, less expensive batteries. This significantly reduces vehicle weight, improves energy efficiency, and makes electric buses more sustainable to produce and operate.
• Minimal Downtime, Higher Fleet Availability
  Charging at bus stops or traffic lights minimizes vehicle idle time. At Electreon’s depot in Israel, 32 battery-electric buses achieved 99% availability, with virtually no need for backup vehicles — a benchmark in operational efficiency.
• Optimized Grid Load and Renewable Integration
  Distributed, low-power charging smooths out energy demand peaks, helping utilities better manage the grid and facilitating the integration of renewable energy sources.
• Enhanced Passenger Experience
  With charging infrastructure embedded beneath the road, there are no visible cables or plug-in stations. This creates cleaner, safer public spaces and allows electric buses to offer the same level of comfort and reliability as diesel buses — but without noise, fumes, or emissions.

Real-World Deployments

• Trondheim, Norway: Buses charge wirelessly at key stops, even in cold climates and mountainous terrain.

• Tel Aviv, Israel: A fully wireless depot supports the daily operation of electric buses.

• Balingen, Germany: The first public transit route to combine dynamic and static wireless charging.

• Detroit, USA: Electreon’s first U.S. deployment features in-road wireless charging technology.

Electreon and Chariot Motors: A Strategic Partnership

Electreon’s global rollout is bolstered by its partnership with Chariot Motors, a leading European manufacturer of fast-charging electric buses equipped with ultracapacitor technology. Together, the companies are advancing several pioneering projects:

• Smartroad Gotland (Sweden): A 4-kilometer live route using Electreon’s dynamic wireless charging, operated with a Chariot electric bus and truck.

• Balingen (Germany): A Chariot electric bus with a 422 kWh battery runs on a live urban route with embedded wireless charging segments.

• Detroit (USA): Electreon’s wireless technology is integrated into a Chariot bus platform for real-world testing in North America.

The Future is Now

Wireless charging is no longer a vision of the future — it is a proven, scalable, and efficient solution for modern public transport. By minimizing downtime, extending battery life, and eliminating above-ground infrastructure, Electreon is making urban mobility more reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable.

Through its collaboration with Chariot Motors, Electreon is not just demonstrating what’s possible — it’s actively transforming how cities will move in the years to come.

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In 2022, the European electric bus market saw a total of 4,152 registrations, marking a 26% increase from the previous year. The United Kingdom led with 685 units, followed by Germany with 581 and France with 549. Notably, Yutong emerged as the top manufacturer, registering 479 buses and capturing an 11.5% market share. ​

The momentum continued into 2023, with a remarkable 53% growth, totaling 6,354 electric bus registrations across the EU27, Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland. Over 42% of city buses registered were zero-emission vehicles. The UK maintained its leading position with 1,206 new units, a 76.1% increase from 2022. Germany and Norway followed, with 753 and 493 registrations respectively. Spain and Italy also exhibited significant growth, with increases of 261% and 230.6% respectively. ​

By 2024, the market expanded by an additional 22%, reaching 7,779 electric bus registrations. ​

Registered Electric Buses by Country (2022–2024)

The following tables provide a detailed breakdown of electric bus registrations by country and manufacturer for the years 2022 and 2023. Data for 2024 is included where available.​

Table 1: Electric Bus Registrations by Country (2022–2023)

Key Observations

• Rapid Growth: The European electric bus market has demonstrated robust growth, with a 53% increase in 2023 and a further 22% in 2024. ​
• Regional Variations: Countries such as the UK, Germany, and Norway have led in absolute numbers, while nations like Portugal and Belgium have exhibited remarkable percentage growth, indicating a widespread commitment to electrification across diverse markets. ​

The data reflects a clear and accelerating shift towards electric buses in Europe, driven by environmental policies, technological advancements, and a collective move towards sustainable urban transport solutions.

What about Bulgaria?

Bulgaria has been progressively integrating electric buses into its public transportation system, reflecting a commitment to sustainable urban mobility. Tracking the growth of registered electric buses in Bulgaria from 2022 through 2024 reveals a significant expansion in the country’s electric public transportation fleet. Below is a summary of key developments during this period:​

2022

• Sofia: In April 2022, the municipal operator Stolichen Avtotransport contracted Chariot Motors for 22 battery-electric buses, each 8.5 meters long. These buses were scheduled for delivery by the end of 2022. ​
• Sofia: Additionally, in April 2022, Karsan secured a tender to deliver 30 e-JEST electric minibuses to Sofia’s municipal operator. These deliveries were also planned for completion within 2022. ​

2023

• Sofia: By April 2023, Stolichen Avtotransport had integrated the 22 Chariot battery-electric buses into active service, operating on routes 23, 82, 100, and 101. ​

2024

• Burgas: The city incorporated 44 Irizar ie bus zero-emission electric buses into its public transport system. This fleet consisted of 34 units measuring 12 meters and 10 units of 18 meters. ​
• Kyustendil: In October 2024, the municipality announced a €2.6 million tender for the procurement of five electric buses (two 12-meter and three 9-meter) along with corresponding charging stations.

• Year	Registered electric buses	Cities
  2022	52	Sofia (22 Chariot + 30 Karsan)
  2023	52	Sofia (in operation 23, 82, 100 и 101)
  2024	99	Burgas (44 Irizar), Kyustendil (5 )

These instances highlight the progressive steps taken by Bulgarian municipalities toward electrifying their public transport fleets.

The post Electric Buses Market Trends in Europe: 2022–2024 appeared first on Chariot Motors.

Manufactured by the leading Chinese company Higer, the new electric buses will replace outdated diesel vehicles operated by the Municipal Passenger Transport Company in Gabrovo, contributing to reduced carbon emissions and the modernization of public transport.

The electric buses offer numerous amenities for passengers: climate control systems for heating and cooling, a low-floor design with tilt functionality, dedicated spaces for passengers with disabilities, and conveniences for mothers with strollers. Additionally, they are equipped with an automatic door-opening system featuring light and sound signals, while the flooring has an anti-slip coating for enhanced safety. Furthermore, the vehicles have partially opening windows and plastic seats with removable upholstery, facilitating easy maintenance.

With a length of 6.8 meters, the electric buses can accommodate up to 31 passengers and come with a six-year warranty. The contract includes maintenance costs for the first three years or 150,000 kilometers, as well as personnel training and servicing support.

The new electric buses will enter into operation once the charging infrastructure is established. They will serve both the urban lines in Gabrovo and the intercity route Gabrovo-Sevlievo, making them well-suited for the region’s road network.

Through this project, Chariot Motors is contributing to a greener future for the transport system in Gabrovo and the surrounding areas, providing high-tech solutions for sustainable development. You can find more eco-friendly solutions on our product page here.

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