Viana do Castelo redefines the future of urban mobility with REMO
The Municipality of Viana do Castelo has partnered with REMO to deploy 15 fully electric buses, setting a new standard for sustainable transport in Portugal. This €5 million investment demonstrates how local authorities can lead the energy transition with scalable, reliable, and impactful solutions.
Overview
Client: Viana do Castelo City Council
What was delivered:
- 10 standard 12m electric buses (HIGER Azure 12, 78 passengers)
- 5 midi 8,5m electric buses (HIGER STEED, 50 passengers)
Scale: Over €5 million investment, co-financed by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR)
Strategic Partner: Fleet provided in partnership with HIGER, leading electric bus manufacturer
Deployment: All 9 routes covered, including 7 existing lines and 2 new lines (full fleet transition)
The challenge
Public transport is the backbone for urban mobility, but in Viana do Castelo, as in many cities, the bus fleet relied heavily on diesel vehicles. This created challenges:
- Growing greenhouse gas emissions offtrack with decarbonisation goals
- Rising noise pollution in residential areas
- Increasing citizen demand for cleaner, modern and accessible transport
- Municipal budget constraints in making the transition to electric mobility
The City Council needed a partner who could deliver not just vehicles, but a complete, future-proof solution that balanced sustainability with reliability and operational efficiency.
Execution
The project was delivered in several key phases:
PLANNING & DESIGN
REMO worked over the City Council specifications to define the optimal technical solution for the fleet with two models: HIGER Azure 12 standard for high demand passenger and commuting routes and HIGER STEED for tight streets and feed in routes.
PROCUREMENT & FINANCING
REMO set up a balanced proposal for the public tender, aligned with the PRR programme to ensure the best investment package and future proof technology with LFP batteries and state of the art motorization for low consumptions and operational efficiency.
FLEET INTEGRATION
Partnering with HIGER, REMO coordinated the manufacturing and delivery of buses tailored to the city’s operational needs, including fast double charging option up to 300 kW, rearview camera system, advanced sensors and collision avoidance systems to facilitate the day-to-day driving operation. Safety and reliability are at the core of HIGER / REMO solutions.
OPERATIONAL DEPLOYMENT
The buses were phased into service across nine routes, achieving full fleet transition to maximize transport service access to the Viana do Castelo citizens, thus providing a zero-emissions transport system, with comfortable and technologically advanced buses. Passenger comfort is assured by a silent bus with variable suspension systems, USB connectors in every seat and led lighting allowing for the most enjoyable passenger experience. “Public transport for all” means that all citizens must be able to enjoy the new HIGER / REMO buses – all buses are equipped with special devices for passengers to communicate with the driver and allow wheelchair easy entry and exit.
MONITORING & SUPPORT
REMO continues to provide operational support, including performance monitoring and aftersales service, ensuring long-term reliability and spare parts availability through local stock, maximizing bus fleet uptime and 24/7 service.
This structured approach turned a complex transition into a smooth, scalable solution that the city of Viana do Castelo can replicate in future phases.
Result
The Viana do Castelo project proves that the shift to sustainable mobility is not only feasible but practical and scalable. By combining innovation, financing expertise, and flawless execution, REMO empowers cities and transport operators to turn sustainability ambitions into measurable impact – for people, communities and the planet.
- 15 electric buses delivered
- 5M Eur investment
- Full urban fleet with electrified transport system
- Up to 78 passengers in HIGER Azure 12
- Up to 50 passengers in HIGER STEED
- Ca. 20.000 ton of CO2 equivalent emissions avoided during the fleet lifetime, the equivalent of planting 40.000 trees of slow growth.
“The growing demand for 100% electric mobility solutions by municipalities reflects a strategic alignment with carbon emission reduction goals. At REMO – Powered by Mota-Engil, we are prepared to support local authorities in this transition process, providing solid, innovative, and sustainable solutions that meet the demands of urban mobility.”
Luís Miguel Castanheira, CEO of REMO