Autolinee Toscane, an Italian subsidiary of RATP Dev, continues its initiatives in sustainable transport with the commercial service of 25 new 12-meter electric buses in Florence, together with the activation of a new 1.72 MW charging infrastructure at the Peretola depot. This new development is part of the Next Generation EU program, funded by the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), and aims to enhance sustainable mobility in the region.
For Federico Tonetti, President of RATP Dev Italia, “The integration of these new electric buses and charging infrastructures marks a major step forward for sustainable urban mobility in Tuscany. Thanks to national and European funds, we are modernizing our fleet and creating innovative charging solutions. Tuscany is now a showcase for RATP Dev in terms of sustainable transport, demonstrating our ability to collaborate effectively with local authorities to undertake ambitious public transit projects”.
In addition to the new electric buses, Autolinee Toscane is also introducing 32 retrofitted buses, making it the first company to deploy them in Italy and the largest retrofit order in Europe to date.
By mid-2026, Florence will progressively welcome 53 additional electric buses, with the creation of a new charging infrastructure in the Olmatello area, bringing Autolinee Toscane's total electric bus fleet to 78 upon completion of the operation. Last January, 12 six-meter electric buses were put into service and are now transporting passengers daily through the narrow streets of central Florence.
The program, funded by the European Union, has been carried out in collaboration with the Tuscany Region and the Municipality of Florence, with Autolinee Toscane managing public funding, the launch of tenders, and the supervision of the construction of charging infrastructures.
The new 12-meter buses have a total capacity of 85 seats and a range of 260 km. They are equipped with surveillance systems, the Tip Tap contactless payment system, and a manual access ramp for people with reduced mobility. Their entry into service was preceded by a testing phase and training for drivers on the new vehicles.
The charging infrastructure, located at the Peretola depot, has 22 spaces and can simultaneously charge vehicles to 100% capacity overnight. Work on the new 52-space charging infrastructure in Olmatello will begin shortly.