Vorarlberg is setting standards in Austria for emission-free bus transport. In order to achieve its ambitious sustainability goals, the Austrian state is gradually converting its bus fleet to climate-friendly drive systems. The latest emission-free buses come from MAN Truck & Bus. ÖBB Postbus has ordered a total of 63 fully electric MAN Lion’s City E buses for use in several regions of Vorarlberg. The e-buses have already been delivered and successfully put into operation. “We are proud of this order, which is our largest single e-bus order in Austria to date,” says Rudi Kuchta, Managing Director of MAN Truck & Bus Austria, adding: “We are also delighted to be actively shaping emission-free public transport in Vorarlberg as a reliable partner. For MAN, electromobility is the central pillar of our corporate strategy for alternative drive systems, and we are consistently investing in innovative, sustainable technologies.”
Already today, every third bus in service in Vorarlberg is an e-bus. This means that the federal state currently has the largest e-bus fleet in Austria. A total of around 100 e-buses are currently in regular service, more than half of which are operated by ÖBB Postbus. The e-bus fleet is set to grow to 141 vehicles by spring. The clear goal is to increase this number to 200 e-buses by 2030. “We will therefore continue to contribute to environmentally friendly regional transport with our innovative MAN electric buses in the future,” says Rudi Kuchta, emphasizing: “MAN is the market leader in the field of e-buses in Austria with a market share of over 50 percent – not least thanks to the great trust that ÖBB Postbus places in us.” MAN delivered a total of 112 e-buses in Austria last year.
Safe, reliable, and comfortable mobility with MAN e-buses
MAN has delivered a total of 27 Lion’s City 12 E and 36 Lion’s City 18 E buses as part of the current order from ÖBB Postbus. While the 12-meter version offers a balanced combination of space, ride comfort, and agility, the 18-meter version is ideal for busy routes with high passenger volumes. Powerful electric motors and six or eight battery packs ensure quiet rides and long ranges of up to 350 kilometers. Comfort is guaranteed by efficient air conditioning systems with integrated heat pumps and comfortable seats. The 12-meter e-buses offer passengers 30 seats and standing room for 61, while the 18-meter e-buses offer 42 seats and standing room for 113. The barrier-free low-floor vehicles are also equipped with the latest swivel-sliding door technology, which enables high efficiency and fast passenger exchange. Numerous innovative assistance systems such as turn assist, break assist, emergency brake assist, and the driver’s cab with full windshield ensure a safe journey for passengers, drivers, and other road users.
Largest charging hub for e-buses in Austria
The central basis for operation is a powerful charging infrastructure with a total of 144 charging points throughout Vorarlberg. The Postbus locations in Wolfurt, Bludenz, and Feldkirch alone have 75 of these charging points, which are installed and operated by illwerke vkw. The ÖBB Postbus garage in Wolfurt has been extensively prepared for the arrival of the new electric buses in recent months. This means that it is not only state-of-the-art in technical terms, but also the largest charging hub for e-buses in the whole of Austria.
