Budapest is set to trial its first bus powered by biomethane (Bio-CNG), a renewable fuel. The vehicle was unveiled in the Hungarian capital on Monday at a press conference held outside MOL’s headquarters. It will begin its trial operation on bus route 132E.
MOL aims to support greener public transport
MOL Group’s key strategic objective is to support the green transition and sustainable urban public transport through smart, practical solutions, said Ambrus Halász, the company’s head of corporate communications.
He added that the group’s fuel portfolio is continuously expanding with products designed to support energy security, competitiveness and the green transition at the same time.
“An important milestone for us was the launch of our first biomethane operation in Szarvas on 14 October. This means that, going forward, we will also be able to supply markets with Bio-CNG,” he said, welcoming the opportunity provided by Budapest’s public transport companies BKK and BKV to test the biomethane-powered bus in the capital.
The pilot project aims to demonstrate that sustainably produced energy in Hungary can also be used to meet the needs of Budapest’s public transport system. MOL hopes to supply an increasing proportion of this type of energy for public transport and other applications in the future, said Ádám Horváth, director of MOL Group’s New and Sustainable Businesses within its Downstream division.
International trends suggest that the fuel portfolio of the future will be much more diverse, requiring several different solutions.
Although fossil fuels are expected to remain the dominant energy sources for some time, there is a growing need for alternatives that offer genuinely more sustainable ways of meeting energy demands, he explained.
“We are working to make our portfolio increasingly green, and to process more and more alternative feedstocks alongside crude oil at our refinery,” Horváth said.
He added that the company is investing in green hydrogen projects not only in Hungary but also in Croatia, with plans to expand into Bratislava in the future. Building a significant biomethane presence within MOL Group is another new strategic priority.
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Why is biomethane important for public transport?
One of the main drivers behind this strategy is EU regulation, including the Clean Vehicles Directive. Under the rules, more than half of the buses purchased and put into public transport service between 2026 and 2030 must comply with the directive’s clean vehicle requirements.
Alongside electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, compressed natural gas (CNG) also qualifies under these requirements.
MOL Group currently feeds seven million cubic metres of biomethane into regional and national gas networks every year, Horváth said. Using existing infrastructure, energy produced in rural areas can therefore be transported to Budapest through the gas network.
The company also wants to demonstrate the environmental and economic advantages of biomethane in public transport and establish it as a viable alternative internationally.
When total life-cycle costs are taken into account, biomethane can be competitive with diesel. It also produces lower nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions.
Furthermore, biomethane-powered buses operate much more quietly than diesel vehicles while offering a similar driving range and competitive refuelling times.
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When and where can passengers try the new bus?
The Bio-CNG bus will operate on Budapest’s 132E route until 4 November, BKK CEO Ádám Bodor announced.
He pointed out that transport is still responsible for 30% of Budapest’s carbon dioxide emissions, with public transport accounting for 3% of the total.
Although most Budapest residents travel by metro, tram or trolleybus, around 1,100 of the capital’s 2,300 public transport vehicles are buses. Most of these run on diesel, making their replacement with electric models one of the biggest challenges facing the city.
Bodor stressed that while switching to electric vehicles is important, other technologies could also contribute to more sustainable transport.
In his view, around 300 buses will need to retain internal combustion engines in the long term to ensure security of supply in Budapest. Nevertheless, testing new technologies and the latest versions of existing ones is particularly important.
BKV currently operates 37 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, although these will gradually need replacing as they age, he added.
Passengers can use the biomethane-powered bus free of charge, as it will operate as part of the regular timetable during the trial period.
