The Competition Council conducted inspections at three electric minibus companies, suspected of rigging the bids for student transportation.

The Competition Council announced that it has conducted surprise inspections at the offices of Aveuro International SRL, C&I Eurotrans XXI SRL, and Amperio Energy SRL, as part of an investigation into the possible rigging of public tenders for the purchase of electric minibuses intended for student transport.

These tenders are part of projects funded by European funds related to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The authority suspects that the four companies involved, including QEV Technologies S.L from Spain, may have collaborated to manipulate the tenders, distorting the market and fixing prices, so that contracts would be won by a predetermined bidder. The investigation was initiated based on media articles and information from the Control Body of the Ministry of Investments and European Projects.

The inspections, authorized by the Bucharest Court of Appeal, are essential for obtaining the necessary information to clarify these possible anti-competitive practices. If a breach of competition rules is confirmed, the companies involved risk fines of up to 10% of their turnover, but those that cooperate with the authority may benefit from immunity or reductions in fines.