Lithuania looks to electrify its public transport

The financial incentives are supposed to motivate Lithuanian transport companies to replace old diesel buses with new electric buses. The funding is being awarded in two instalments: At the beginning of the year, public transport companies in the region around Vilnius, for example, were awarded funding to purchase 80 electric vehicles. The programme continues with the remaining regions and grants for 195 additional electric buses. According to the government, the funding recipients are now starting the procurement process. “The decarbonisation of the transport sector is already well underway in Lithuania’s major cities. With our record investments and the favourable conditions we are creating, smaller cities will now also be ready to participate in the transformation of the transport sector,” says Agnė Vaiciukevičiūtė, Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications, who also points out that from 2026, all public transport vehicles purchased in Lithuania must run on alternative fuels. According to the Ministry of Transport and Communications, 8,055 buses and trolleybuses are registered in Lithuania, 900 of which run on alternative fuels. sumin.lrv.lt (in Lithuanian)

London’s Enfield Borough launches charging pilot project

The Enfield London Borough Council has launched a through-pavement EV charging channel pilot. The Kerbo Charge system involves a gulley being cut into the pavement outside homes, allowing residents to charge their EVs on the street from their own supply, which the initiators point out is five to ten times cheaper than charging using a public charging station, assuming off-peak charging pricing. Enfield’s new pilot project is funded by residents, and Enfield is the first local authority in London to trial the innovative Kerbo Charge technology after successful trials “in several towns and cities across the UK.” “We are delighted to be working with Kerbo Charge on such a ground-breaking trial which is the first of its kind for a London borough,” said Cabinet Member for Transport and Waste at Enfield Council, Cllr Rick Jewell, adding: “I hope the pilot scheme is a huge success, as it will encourage those thinking of purchasing an EV to do so, as the cost-effective technology will provide residents with a safe and convenient way to charge their vehicles and contribute towards a greener Enfield.” enfield.gov.uk, kerbocharge.com, airqualitynews.com