Italian transport sector sees electric bus boom and Atessa plant slowdown

Data from the Italian transport association ANFIA show that battery‑electric bus registrations in the first half of 2026 jumped 315.7% to 1,667 units, lifting total bus registrations by 124.2% year‑on‑year. The surge is linked to recent PNRR‑funded deliveries, with electric buses now accounting for 43.8% of the market and hydrogen‑powered buses also rising sharply. In contrast, electric heavy‑truck registrations fell 48.9% to 192 units, leaving diesel‑powered trucks to dominate the segment.

Stellantis’ Atessa plant, the largest commercial‑vehicle site in Italy, produced 94,030 vans in the first six months of 2026, a 4% decline from the same period in 2025. The drop is attributed to work on the painting line, although the facility still represents 37.3% of Stellantis’ total Italian output. Overall, Stellantis built 252,223 vehicles in Italy in H1 2026, up 13.7% year‑on‑year, with passenger cars rising 27.7% while the commercial‑vehicle segment fell 4%. The company plans new large commercial models, including electric versions, and has earmarked over €1 billion of investment for the next five years.