Urban and Suburban Transport, Road Passenger Transport
Operation of urban and suburban public transport systems including metro, tram, trolleybus, bus and road passenger services with zero direct emissions.
Substantial Contribution to Climate Change Mitigation
The activity covers the purchase, financing, leasing, rental and operation of vehicles for urban, suburban and interurban road passenger transport. Vehicles used in public transport fleets, including buses, trams, metros, trolleybuses and coaches, must have zero direct (tailpipe) CO2 emissions. This includes battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell and catenary-electric vehicles.
For vehicles classified under Regulation (EC) No 595/2009 (heavy-duty vehicles), zero direct emissions are required. Vehicles classified under Regulation (EU) 2019/631 (light-duty) must also meet the zero-emission threshold. Fleet transition plans must demonstrate a clear pathway to full zero-emission operation, with interim milestones aligned to national or municipal clean air zone requirements.
Public transport operators must maintain fleet composition data and report the share of zero-emission vehicle-kilometres annually. The activity also includes dedicated bus rapid transit (BRT) systems and guided light transit operating on reserved corridors with zero-emission rolling stock.
Substantial Contribution to Climate Change Adaptation
The activity must comply with Appendix A of the Climate Delegated Act. The operator must carry out a CRVA assessing physical climate risks over the service lifetime, including urban heat island effects on battery performance, flooding of depots and underground infrastructure, and wind loading on overhead contact systems.
DNSH: Climate Change Adaptation
A climate risk assessment in accordance with Appendix A must be performed. Key hazards include extreme urban heat affecting passenger comfort and vehicle range, pluvial flooding of underground stations and bus depots, and storm damage to overhead electrification. Proportionate adaptation measures must be implemented for all material risks identified.
DNSH: Circular Economy
Vehicles must be designed and manufactured to maximise the reuse and recyclability of components, particularly batteries. At end of life, battery packs must be managed in accordance with the Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, including requirements for collection, recycling efficiency targets, and recovery of critical raw materials such as cobalt, lithium and nickel.
DNSH: Pollution Prevention and Control
Tyres must comply with the tyre rolling noise limits set out in Regulation (EC) No 661/2009. Brake dust and tyre wear particle emissions must be minimised through the use of regenerative braking systems. Vehicles must meet all applicable type-approval requirements for non-exhaust emissions. Noise exposure in urban areas must comply with Environmental Noise Directive 2002/49/EC action plans.