Osnabruck achieves 94% electric bus fleet as 19 Mercedes eCitaro enter service - Sustainable Bus

"With 94 percent of its city bus fleet now fully electric, Osnabrück stands among Germany's undisputed frontrunners in zero-emission public transport. The milestone was reached with the entry into service of 19 new Mercedes eCitaro buses supplied by Daimler Buses. The vehicles officially entered service on November 1, coinciding with the timetable change. Today, 81 electric buses - including 62 articulated units from VDL and 19 new eCitaro - operate on Osnabrück's network, delivering a nearly emission-free service across the city."

"The electrification program in Osnabrück is supported by €5.17 million from Germany's Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV), with an additional €1.75 million in co-financing from the state of Lower Saxony through LNVG. Further funding comes from the German Recovery and Resilience Plan (DARP) within the EU's NextGenerationEU framework. For several years, the 62 articulated buses from VDL have been running on the city's five MetroBus routes, covering around 3.6 million emission-free kilometers annually and cutting CO₂ emissions by approximately 2,100 tons per year."

"Public transport operator SWO Mobil has trained drivers, technicians, and service staff to handle the new vehicles - a process that builds on the training model first developed in 2019 for the introduction of the articulated e-buses. The new vehicles will primarily serve the MetroBus lines, integrating seamlessly into the city's high-frequency routes. Each 12-meter eCitaro can carry up to 67 passengers and is equipped with three doors, a fold-out ramp for passengers with reduced mobility, and numerous double USB charging ports."

Osnabrück's city bus fleet is now 94 percent electric following the addition of 19 Mercedes eCitaro buses. A total of 81 electric buses—62 VDL articulated units and 19 eCitaro—operate across the network, providing nearly emission-free service and covering MetroBus axes. The electrification program received €5.17 million from the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, €1.75 million co-financing from Lower Saxony, and additional funding from the German Recovery and Resilience Plan under NextGenerationEU. SWO Mobil trained drivers, technicians, and service staff. Each 12-meter eCitaro carries up to 67 passengers and includes accessibility features and USB charging ports.

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