German district invests in HVO public transport instead of going electric

Northwest Mecklenburg, a district in Germany, has decided to make its existing public transport fleet more sustainable by switching to HVO100 biofuel instead of investing in new electric buses.
This pragmatic choice was driven by the steep costs of switching to electric buses, with subsidies covering just 30% of the required investment — a scenario considered financially unworkable for Nahbus, the district’s transport operator.
Rather than pursuing electrification, Nahbus will purchase 10 new diesel buses compatible with HVO 100.
By embracing HVO 100, Northwest Mecklenburg demonstrates how alternative fuels can drive meaningful progress in the global push toward decarbonisation.
Electrification is a key part of the energy transition, but it remains challenging to implement for heavy road transportation. The infrastructure for electric trucks is still under development, and the vehicles themselves come with a hefty price tag.
Therefore, by leveraging the flexibility of HVO, the district is making substantial carbon savings now—without waiting for larger subsidies or technological advancements to catch up.