Romania: Overpriced Electric School Bus Scandal

Romania faces a deepening scandal involving its electric school minibus program funded by the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (PNRR), with key political figures directly implicated through procurement decisions. Investigations reveal widespread overpricing, questionable procurement practices, and political entanglements threatening millions of euros intended for sustainable public transport and educational infrastructure.

Overpriced Purchases of Electric Buses Spark Outrage

Around 1,300 electric school minibuses were bought at an average price of approximately 200,000 euros per unit, excluding VAT, significantly exceeding the European Commission’s benchmark price of 78,000 euros—sometimes by nearly threefold.

Not only that, but some counties reportedly paid over 260,000 euros per vehicle. These price disparities have fueled public demands for accountability and transparency.

The majority of contracts went to Aveuro International SRL, a Prahova-based company owned by Vlad Papuc, son of the head of the Women’s Organisation within the ruling National Liberal Party (PNL). The company secured over half of the roughly 135 million euros allocated to the electric school bus program, raising suspicions of favouritism and conflict of interest.

Ilie Bolojan’s Direct Role During His Tenure at Consiliul Județean Bihor

The scandal reportedly implicates Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, who between 2020 and 2024 served as president of Bihor County Council and initiated the procurement procedure for 25 electric school minibuses. The contract awarded to Aveuro International SRL was valued at around 22.8 million lei (182,600 euros per minibus)—about three times higher than comparable vehicles like the Ford eTransit, priced at roughly 58,200 USD in the U.S. market and far above the EU’s recommended 78,000 euros per unit.

The procured vehicles, Ford eTransit models with 15 seats, do not justify such inflated pricing, even considering complete equipment. Additionally, in July 2025, Bihor County ordered another eight minibuses from Aveuro at a somewhat reduced but still questionable unit cost (circa 142,600 euros each).

This direct involvement during Bolojan’s regional leadership raises critical questions about the procurement process’s transparency and fairness, casting a shadow over his current role as Prime Minister.

Official Response and Investigations Underway

Romanian Minister of Investments and European Funds, Dragoș Pîslaru, condemned the suspected overpricing and launched a formal investigation. The ministerial Control Corps is reviewing all procurement documentation, prices, technical compliance, and adherence to EU funding rules.

If wrongdoing is confirmed, Romania faces financial penalties and potential referral of cases to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, led by Laura Codruța Kövesi, escalating the political and legal stakes.

This controversy exposes ongoing governance weaknesses in handling EU funds for green transition projects and raises public scepticism regarding corruption in public procurement. Transparent reforms will be essential to restore confidence in Romania’s stewardship of European financial aid.

The final investigation results are awaited amid pressure from civil society and political opposition for enhanced transparency and accountability. How Prime Minister Bolojan and his government address the allegations will critically influence Romania’s political credibility and its standing with European partners.