Polish bus manufacturer MMI, which produces small and medium-sized buses, has secured €7.7 million in funding. The investment came from Vinci SA, owned by Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, which funds Polish businesses and promotes them worldwide. It manages three funds, HiTech ASI for tech companies, Da Gama ASI for assisting Polish businesses to expand abroad, and IQ ASI for early-stage research projects.
Funds utilisation
The investment will be used to develop electric buses in three variants, including low-entry, low-floor, and normal-floor. In addition, the company also plans to develop a hydrogen fuel cell-powered electric minibus and build a modern production hall, aiming to double its vehicle production capacity.
It will also enhance MMI’s zero-emission drive technology, chassis, and body construction, strengthening its market position in Poland and Western Europe.
“The company’s development schedule for urban, intercity, and school buses aligns well with market expectations, particularly regarding EU regulations on zero-emission urban transport. MMI’s electric minibuses will be among the few of their kind produced in Europe and one of only two when it comes to minibuses powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The body design project, developed by the company’s R&D team in collaboration with external consultants, represents a European-scale innovation, positioning the company to compete for a strong position in the international market.” stated Piotr Woliński, CEO of Vinci SA.
Emission-free city bus
Public transport, especially buses, plays a crucial role in daily life, offering extensive connectivity. However, diesel buses contribute to environmental pollution, especially in urban areas, leading to poor air quality and smog.
According to data from the European Commission, heavy-duty vehicles, including city buses, are responsible for over 6% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the EU and more than 25% of CO2 emissions in road transport.
To address this, earlier this year, the European Commission announced a new net greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for the European Union to combat the growing climate pollution. It is expected to reduce emissions by 90% by 2040 compared to the emission levels back in the 1990s. This is a necessary step to enable climate neutrality by 2050, in line with the European Green Deal. A change in urban transport is one of the key proposals from the Commission and this requires new zero-emission city buses starting in 2030.
What does the company do?
Led by CEO Stanisław Zdrojewski, Polish bus manufacturer MMI, a family-owned company with over 70 employees, is addressing these challenges by transitioning to the production of zero-emission vehicles.
The company aims to strengthen its position in the Polish market and expand its operations and current offerings in Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Scandinavia.
“We plan to use the secured capital to create our own brand of small and medium-sized electric buses, including models powered by hydrogen fuel cells, in three variants: low-entry, low-floor, and standard-floor. To achieve this, we are working on zero-emission drive technology and innovative chassis and body designs. Our goal is to create buses with the lowest possible curb weight to maximise their range.” commented Stanisław Zdrojewski, CEO of MMI.
