The Municipality of Puńsk Proudly Stands by Its Decision: Free Electric Minibus Transport Reduced Environmental Impact and Solved Local Mobility Issues
Modern mobility solutions can not only contribute to climate change mitigation but also address social challenges. This has been clearly demonstrated by the project “Puńsk Drives” (“Puńsk wozi”), implemented under the initiative “Enhancing Energy Efficiency in Lithuania” in the municipality of Puńsk. The project introduced free, door-to-door transport using an electric minibus, effectively reducing greenhouse gas emissions while solving residents’ mobility problems.
During the first three years of implementation, over 900 residents used the free transportation service, covering more than 21,000 kilometers. Since the launch of the project, over 5,000 kg of CO₂ emissions have been avoided, and 11,550 kWh of energy saved. These results were achieved by acquiring a charging station and an eight-seater Mercedes Benz eVito Tourer electric minibus, whose average monthly operating costs are only around PLN 262.50.
Although Puńsk is a small municipality with 4,117 inhabitants and 80% of its territory dedicated to agricultural land, the project has proven vital in addressing rural mobility challenges. By allowing residents to book trips via phone, the project has made it easier to reach medical facilities, workplaces, and stores—reducing expenses and increasing convenience. The initiative has had a particularly significant social impact for seniors, people with disabilities, and residents without personal vehicles. More recently, the service has also been embraced by students, as well as theatre, dance, and music groups traveling to performances in the electric minibus.
Model worthy of replication
The success of this project demonstrates that even small, rural municipalities can become examples of sustainable mobility. By integrating electric minibuses, they can reduce air pollution, promote social inclusion, and manage energy resources sustainably. This model can be easily replicated in other regions of Lithuania or Europe that face similar transportation issues.
“Municipalities wishing to provide free electric transportation for their residents should take into account current and projected energy prices, as well as the state of their infrastructure. Electric vehicles are economically viable when they can be charged from a regular household outlet—especially if the building is equipped with a photovoltaic system with sufficient capacity reserves. To secure funding for such initiatives, municipalities should consider applying to international institutions focused on pollution reduction or regional development,” Puńsk municipal representatives advise.
About the Project
The LIFE Integrated Project “Enhancing Energy Efficiency in Lithuania” was launched in October 2021 with the overarching goal of supporting the implementation of the National Energy and Climate Action Plan (NECAP) 2021–2030 by coordinating energy efficiency measures, strengthening strategic capabilities, and integrating greenhouse gas reduction targets.
In 2022, the “Puńsk Drives” project became part of the LIFE Integrated Project “Enhancing Energy Efficiency in Lithuania”, drawing inspiration from the “Lazdijai Drives” initiative implemented in Lazdijai District Municipality. The project provided free electric minibus transport in Puńsk with funding of EUR 74,447 from the European Commission and PLN 203,389 from the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management.
The project “Improving energy efficiency in Lithuania” (No. LIFE20 IPC/LT/000002) has received funding from the European Union LIFE programme and the Republic of Lithuania. The contents of this article are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union.