Vilnius Airport to Shift to Fully Electric Bus Fleet in 2026

New electric buses will start operating at Vilnius Airport next year. Lithuanian Airports has signed a contract with COBUS for the purchase of 12 modern vehicles. In the second half of next year, the electric fleet will fully replace the existing diesel buses. Passenger transport will become more comfortable and more sustainable.

The investment for the first 12 buses amounts to EUR 7.2 million (excluding VAT), including technical maintenance and repair services.

“Transport sectors are steadily moving toward more environmentally friendly operations. Postal services and railways are replacing polluting vehicles with electric ones, and now airports are doing the same. Green airport transportation is not only better for the environment, but also more convenient for customers. The electric buses will be low-floor and more spacious, allowing almost 100 passengers to comfortably travel between the terminal and the aircraft,” said Minister of Transport Juras Taminskas.

“Buses designed specifically for airport operations will enable more efficient and sustainable fleet management and ensure an improved passenger experience. Electrification of ground transport is a key step toward achieving the NET ZERO goal that we have set in our airport strategy,” said Simonas Bartkus, CEO of Lithuanian Airports (LTOU).

Lithuanian Airports has set a strategic objective to become a CO2-neutral organization by 2030.

More comfort, less CO2

COBUS, a company with extensive international experience, is a well-known partner of many airports worldwide, offering high-quality mobility solutions. COBUS buses operate at more than 350 airports around the globe.

The new buses will significantly improve comfort levels in Vilnius. Currently, buses at Vilnius Airport are used to transport passengers between the terminal and aircraft.

“We are pleased that our buses will support Vilnius Airport in taking an important step toward zero-emission goals. Our fully electric, low-floor buses are designed to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable transportation while contributing to Vilnius’ environmental objectives. We are proud to be part of these more sustainable solutions,” said Patricia Vasconcelos, CEO of COBUS Industries.

The new buses will be nearly 14 meters long and 2.7 meters wide, with capacity for up to 96 passengers.

Each bus will have doors on both sides and completely flat flooring with no raised areas to ensure easier boarding. The “e.Cobus 2700” model is equipped with a 282 kWh battery. The buses will be operated exclusively on the airport apron.

The contract also includes an option to order three additional electric buses in the future if passenger volumes continue to grow.

At present, passenger transport between aircraft and the terminal at Vilnius Airport is provided by buses operated by ground handling service companies.

Simonas Bartkus notes that the need for buses is also driven by certain airlines’ operational preferences: some airlines require boarding and disembarking to be conducted via bus rather than using boarding bridges directly from the terminal. This is done to save time and operational costs for certain flights.