Skopje prepares infrastructure for new electric bus fleet

Authorities in Skopje have begun work to create the necessary conditions for the 100 new electric buses. Preparations include determining routes, installing chargers, and increasing the electricity supply capacity at the bus depot in Avtokomanda.

According to Skopje Mayor Orce Gjorgjievski, the work is being coordinated with the deadlines set for production and delivery, so that the buses can enter service as soon as they arrive.

Avtokomanda is one of the sites requiring the most significant upgrades, as the depot needs a more powerful electricity supply and greater capacity to charge the electric fleet.

Gjorgjievski denied claims that the buses have already been manufactured and that Skopje is behind schedule in building the necessary infrastructure.

“There is a delivery deadline. The buses cannot be ready immediately after the public procurement process is completed,” he said. Gjorgjievski stressed that the infrastructure must be prepared alongside the production process.

The procurement conducted by the Ministry of Transport includes a total of 150 electric buses and 75 charging stations. Of the total, 100 buses will be allocated to Skopje, while the other 50 are intended for other municipalities.

The procedure was relaunched after the first tender was canceled in May. Four bidders took part in the new tender, while two of the bids met the criteria to proceed to the electronic auction.

The lowest-priced bid was submitted in July by the Hungarian company “IKARUS Electric” and EVN. It was valued at around 3.12 billion denars, excluding VAT.

Delivery of the buses is planned in three phases. The first 30 buses are due to arrive within six months, another 60 within 12 months, and the remaining 60 buses within 18 months.

It has not yet been announced how the 100 buses intended for Skopje will be distributed across these phases. The electric fleet is part of the plan to modernize public transport, alongside the BRT and city train projects.

Gjorgjievski had previously announced that fieldwork on the BRT project is expected to begin in 2027.

The main challenge remains completing the depots, installing the chargers, and upgrading the electricity supply on time so that the first buses can enter service immediately upon arrival.