DB procures 3,000 electric and hybrid Buses – 95% From MAN

Deutsche Bahn plans to integrate around 3,000 buses with electric or hybrid drives, as well as 300 combustion-engine buses, through framework agreements with multiple manufacturers by 2032. The primary supplier is MAN, while BYD will deliver a smaller fleet of electric intercity buses. Prior to the deal with BYD, the EVG union had raised objections.

Deutsche Bahn has announced that the buses will be delivered between 2027 and 2032 and deployed by its subsidiary DB Regio across Germany. The primary partner, MAN Truck & Bus, will supply around 95% of the new low-floor and intercity buses with hybrid and battery-electric powertrains. Additionally, Chinese manufacturer BYD will complement the order by delivering battery-electric intercity buses from its production facility in Hungary. “This segment accounts for approximately five per cent of the expected vehicles,” the company stated. Furthermore, Deutsche Bahn has, according to its own information, entered into ‘subsidiary framework agreements’ with Iveco, Scania, Daimler Buses, and Zhongtong to ‘ensure the availability of new vehicles.’

Awarding the contract to BYD had already caused a stir last week, as the Railway and Transport Union (EVG) sharply criticised the deal. Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board Martin Burkert told the German Der Spiegel: “We will address this issue in the Bahn’s supervisory board.” Just weeks earlier, the German government had called on businesses to demonstrate more patriotism towards domestic production. “That a state-owned company like Deutsche Bahn now plans to purchase cheap electric buses from China sounds like a bad joke.”

However, according to Der Spiegel’s own sources, the initial assumption was an order volume of around 700 BYD buses. According to official DB statements, it is now ‘only’ five per cent of approximately 3,000 buses—equating to around 150 units. DB Regio had already ordered its first electric buses from BYD in 2021, which have since been in service in Ettlingen, Baden-Württemberg.

As mentioned, the approximately 3,000 buses will consist of fully or partially electrified vehicles. In addition to this large-scale procurement, around 300 internal combustion engine buses will also be included. The total cost for the 3,300 solo and articulated buses is expected to exceed one billion euros. For both DB Regio and the main supplier MAN, this represents the largest bus order in their histories.

“The contracts allow for maximum flexibility in configuration and powertrain,” the company stated. Under the agreements, DB Regio can utilise additional contingents if the transport company secures further long-term contracts. Furthermore: “The framework agreements […] have a term of six years. The buses are to be delivered between 2027 and 2032.”

The framework agreements are the result of a Europe-wide tender in which DB focused on “high cost-efficiency over the entire lifecycle.” In addition to procurement costs, factors such as energy consumption, maintenance requirements, and other quality criteria were considered. The location of production sites, the extent of the service network, and the ecological, economic, and social responsibility (CSR) of future suppliers were also evaluated. Why were Chinese manufacturers allowed to participate in the tender? According to Der Spiegel, the contracts with BYD and Zhongtong Bus are each managed through their European subsidiaries.

Deutsche Bahn has not specified how many of the approximately 3,000 electrified buses will be fully battery-electric. However, it stated that a ‘significant proportion’ will be, which is expected to substantially increase the proportion of DB’s electric fleet. Regarding the hybrid buses, those responsible stated that they ‘will be able to run not only on conventional diesel but also on alternative fuels such as HVO.’

With around 561 million passengers in 2024, DB Regio is, according to its own data, the largest provider of bus services in Germany. On average, 1.5 million people in Germany travel with DB Regio buses every day. Harmen van Zijderveld, DB Board Member for Regional Transport, emphasised: “With the new buses, our passengers will continue to reach their destinations reliably, comfortably, and in an environmentally friendly way. The long-term contracts ensure that we always have modern vehicles and can work closely with manufacturers to further develop them. The fact that the vast majority of the buses come from a Munich-based manufacturer is good news for Germany as an industrial location.”

Alexander Vlaskamp, CEO of MAN Truck & Bus, described the new framework agreement with Deutsche Bahn as ‘a historic contract for buses and an outstanding vote of confidence in our products and our team.’ He added ‘that a significant proportion of the vehicles will be fully electric impressively underscores the contribution that Deutsche Bahn and MAN are making to the sustainable transformation of public transport.’

The partnership between the two companies has existed since 2010 and already includes nearly 5,000 MAN buses delivered to Deutsche Bahn. The new framework agreement now includes ‘extremely flexible overall package of efficient diesel vehicles, hybrid models, and fully electric buses.’ For intercity transport, vehicles of the type MAN Lion’s Intercity LE will be delivered in three length variants. For urban transport, the Lion’s City family is planned, with a particular focus on the fully battery-electric series MAN Lion’s City E in 10-, 12-, or 18-metre variants.

deutschebahn.com (in German), press.mantruckandbus.com