The government has allocated HUF 36 billion for the next ten years to support the purchase and operation of green buses, said the Secretary of State responsible for the development of the circular economy, energy and climate policy of the Ministry of Innovation and Technology (ITM) on Friday in Sopron, at the press conference at the Sopron station of the Green Bus Demonstration Model Project.

Attila Steiner reminded that Hungary wants to become climate neutral by 2050, for which the government adopted the Climate and Nature Protection Action Plan. The seventh point of this is the greening of transport, because the transport sector is responsible for one fifth of the country's emissions, he added.

He also mentioned that the government has spent almost 20 billion forints in recent years to promote the spread of electric transport, the most important pillar of which is the Green bus program.

In the first round, 123 electric and four self-propelled trolleybuses will be procured in the tender of Volánbusz Zrt., which will appear in the cities in the near future, he said.

Attila Steiner highlighted that the Green Bus Demonstration Model Project was launched so that local governments and operating companies could gain experience with green buses.

A green bus has been operating in Sopron since July 9, provided by BYD Electric Bus & Truck Hungary Kft.

Speaking about the advantages of green buses, Attila Steiner said that they are favorable in terms of air quality and airborne dust, because they do not emit harmful substances and noise pollution is significantly reduced.

According to experience so far, a bus saves 4,911 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions in a month, this amount could be absorbed by 71 trees, he said, adding that on an annual basis, this way a bus emits almost 60,000 kilograms less carbon dioxide into the air.

The state secretary also spoke about how, in addition to protecting the environment, the program also has an industrial development element, because the government wants to ensure that 60 percent of green buses are produced domestically.

Attila Steiner also touched on the fact that, in addition to supporting green buses, the government also supports the purchase of electric cars.

He added that every month the tender for subsidizing the purchase of electric bicycles is also open, and the government is also preparing to subsidize electric cargo bicycles with a budget of HUF 400 million.

Attila Barcza, the Fidesz parliamentary representative of Sopron and its region, pointed out that Sopron is a climatic health resort, so protecting the environment is of utmost importance.

The intention of the city administration is that Sopron and its region can move forward in transport development, at all levels, he stated, adding that the city joined the national highway network with the M85 expressway and that the roads in Sopron and the agglomeration are constantly renewed.

István Simon, deputy mayor of the city (Fidesz-KDNP), emphasized that not only the government, but also smaller communities and individuals have an important role to play in protecting the environment.

László Krenner, sales manager of BYD Electric Bus & Truck Hungary Kft., said that the green bus, which can be used for free in Sopron until August 6, was made in the company's factory in Komárom.

He also mentioned that the company group has 60,000 electric buses on the roads worldwide, including 2,000 vehicles in around a hundred cities in twenty European countries.

László Veszprémi, chief operating officer of Volánbusz Zrt., said that since 2018, 1,070 new buses have been in service at the company, so last year the company's carbon dioxide emissions decreased by more than 20,000 tons.

He added that 1,665 new vehicles are planned to be purchased this year, and 40 percent of the total stock will be renewed by the end of next year.

MTI

Photo: MTI/István Filep