How did they achieve this remarkable feat?
Sweden’s public transport sector is at the forefront of sustainability, surpassing both national and European climate targets. Today, around 10% of the country’s bus and coach fleet is electric, while nearly all remaining vehicles run on biodiesel, such as HVO100.
How they did it
Since 2008, Sweden’s Public Transport Agreement Committee – made up of representatives from both public transport authorities and operators – has worked towards a shared vision of sustainable mobility. Through common goals, guidelines, recommendations and standards, they have aligned political ambitions with practical industry solutions.
“Our sector has successfully combined public procurement demands with our own standards and recommendations for the tendering process,” said Anna Grönlund, Deputy Managing Director of the Swedish Bus and Coach Federation and President of the IRU Passenger Transport Council. “This has enabled us to run on fossil-free fuels such as HVO100 and start the electrification of buses. In total, the bus and coach fleet procured by public transport in Sweden is now nearly 100% fossil-free.”
“Despite being counterparties, this collaborative approach may interest many across Europe, especially as the European Commission considers revising its public procurement directives,” she added.
The committee’s recommendations cover everything from tendering models and vehicle specifications to environmental criteria and commercial contract requirements. The recommendations are then adopted by the sector’s national federations. Although they are not legally binding, the sector is increasingly using the documents and recommendations, as evidenced by their fossil-free fleet.
“We have succeeded in transforming political visions into functional procurement requirements, guidelines and industry standards. We hope that our journey can help and inspire others on their journey to net-zero,” concluded Anna Grönlund.
Sweden’s Public Transport Agreement Committee consists of public transport sector national federations such as the Swedish Public Transport Association, the Swedish Bus and Coach Federation, the Association of Swedish Train Operating Companies, the Swedish Taxi Federation, and the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions.