Graz in Austria introduces four electric buses Mercedes eCitaro in service - Sustainable Bus

"The Austrian city of Graz has added four fully electric buses -two solo buses and two articulated eCitaros-to its public transport network. According to Graz Holding, the vehicles began phased deployment on the city's lines from 16 November, gradually reinforcing peak-hour services, and will operate on line 67 from January. The deployment increases the Graz Linien fleet from 172 to 174 vehicles, replacing two older diesel buses and adding two additional high-capacity articulated buses."

"The project is funded through Austria's Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure and the FFG "EBIN" program, covering 80 percent of the additional vehicle cost and 40 percent of the infrastructure investment compared with conventional buses, Graz Holding reports. The company also highlights that the deployment builds on previous research projects, including move2zero and Hy-Bus Implementation, which tested battery-electric and hydrogen-powered buses in real service conditions."

"The buses are Mercedes eCitaro equipped with NMC3 battery modules. Solo buses carry five modules with a total capacity of 490 kWh, while the articulated buses carry six modules totaling 588 kWh. Preconditioning at the bus depot allows vehicles to enter service immediately at an appropriate temperature. The required charging infrastructure was installed at the city's bus center. Safety systems on the new eCitaros include side-mounted turn-assist cameras and radar sensors, collision and braking warning systems, and traffic-sign recognition and driver-attention monitoring."

Four fully electric buses—two solo vehicles and two articulated Mercedes eCitaros—entered phased service in Graz from 16 November and are scheduled to operate on line 67 from January. The fleet rose from 172 to 174 vehicles, replacing two older diesel buses and adding two high-capacity articulated units. Funding covered 80 percent of additional vehicle costs and 40 percent of infrastructure costs through Austria's Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure and the FFG 'EBIN' program. Deployment built on prior move2zero and Hy-Bus Implementation research. Vehicles use NMC3 battery modules (490 kWh solo, 588 kWh articulated), depot preconditioning, installed charging infrastructure, and advanced safety systems.

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