Over 100 electric buses now in Nuremberg
The hundredth bus, bearing the number 417, comes as VAG Nuremburg attempts to increase the number of electric buses used in the city. The public transport operator already had 46 Mercedes-Benz eCitaro solo and articulated buses, making up almost 70 per cent of its overall fleet, but will now increase this to a total of 77.
The four-door eCitaro G articulated buses contain seven battery packs with a total capacity of 686 kWh, which translates to a range of around 300km over the lifetime of the battery. VAG states that this means the Nuremburg buses are able to cover ‘the majority’ of requirements for daily mileage. With the battery located on the roof, each bus is equipped with roll-pitch control as standard.
The buses also have a carrying capacity of up to 124 passengers, with a range of safety features including a braking assistant, Traffic Sign Assist speed assistance, a TPM system, Attention Assist and an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System.
VAG stores its buses at its eBus port at a site in Schweinau, which features a photovoltaic power system and enough capacity for 39 buses to charge simultaneously. It’s situated next door to a bus parking depot, which has enough space for 170 buses.
Over half of the VAG bus fleet is electric, with the company operating around 200 buses on over 50 routes. It aims to convert the entire fleet to battery-electric buses by the start of the next decade – meaning the addition of the new eCitaros mark a major step forward for their ambitions.
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