Catania, the second largest city in Sicily, is located at the foot of Mount Etna and is famous for its history and culture. But today, Catania is also an example of sustainable mobility.
AMTS of Catania, the Azienda Metropolitana Trasporti e Sosta, has embarked on a journey toward zero emissions. Since December 2022, it has started its energy transition, with the introduction of the first 18 electric buses, and today it can boast a fleet of as many as 68 electric buses in operation for urban transport.
How is the charging hub designed today?
- 38 charging stations including 18 fast charging stations provided by Ekoenergetyka-Polska S.A. (split and all-in-one solutions), with a total delivered power of about 2 MW.
- Renewable energy: the energy used comes largely from solar panels installed on the roofs of the charging hub, which, when fully operational, will produce 1 MW of clean energy.
What else makes the proposed solutions so efficient?
- Ride optimization: strategic planning of routes and battery capacities to ensure continuity of service and minimize the need to return for recharging.
- Overnight depot recharging: most buses recharge overnight, reducing the impact on the power grid during peak hours and ensuring that the fleet is ready each morning.
- Daytime flexibility: during breaks, buses reload, maintaining high reliability and continuity of public transport.
What about the future?
By 2025, the charging hub will expand further by delivering a total power of more than 6 MW, increasing Ekoenergetyka's charging stations to number 74. AMTS has already ordered 56 Axon Easy 120 kW.
Thanks to smart energy management and flexibility in recharging, Ekoenergetyka's centralized charging system proves to be the ideal solution for large-scale urban electric bus fleets, such as Catania's. An important step toward #urbanasustainablemobility.
Catania is preparing for an increasingly electrified future, and AMTS together with Ekoenergetyka demonstrates how cities can transform their public transport systems into models of sustainability, efficiency and ecology. It is not just about adding charging stations, but creating a sustainable future for urban mobility.