#electric-buses

#electric-buses

These vehicles bring the total number of electric buses in Maribor to 14. The new units, each 9.5 meters long and 2.33 meters wide, are designed for agility and efficiency on narrow urban routes.

A few days after the close of Busworld Europe 2025, it's time to look beyond the spotlights and the crowded stands. Trade fairs are mirrors of ambition as much as of reality, and Brussels offered both - innovation on stage, uncertainty behind the scenes. Here are a few reflections on what this year's edition really revealed about the direction of the bus and coach industry.

Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited ( PMPML) has temporarily halted its plans to procure double-decker electric buses due to recurring issues with existing electric buses, as reported on The Times of India. Issues include frequent breakdowns attributed to battery degradation and challenges posed by Pune's traffic conditions. The first DD battery-electric bus model on offer in the country is the Switch EiV 22 launched in 2022 and delivered, among others, in Mumbai and Hyderabad.

ABB Motion is showcasing its latest technologies for the public transport sector at Busworld Europe 2025. Among the highlights are the Traction Battery Pro Series, the AMXE250S traction motor, and the HES580 mobile inverter, developed to power the next generation of electric buses. Battery, motor and inverter at ABB Motion stand The Traction Battery Pro Series was designed for safety, longevity, and operational flexibility. The system supported ultra-fast charging, optimized total cost of ownership, and integrated seamlessly with ABB's drivetrain ecosystem to accelerate fleet decarbonization.

BYD has unveiled today at Busworld Europe 2025 the BYD eBus B12.b HF and the BYD eBus B18.b, alongside displaying also the eBus B12.b LE. The new models are built on BYD's proprietary eBus Platform 3.0 and incorporate Blade Battery in Chassis technology, Wheel Hub Hairpin Motors, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. BYD also announced the expansion of its European manufacturing and service footprint, including the opening of an OEM-run battery service center in the UK.

The vehicle is based on the MD9 Electricity platform (tested over more than five million kilometers in diverse conditions from Northern Europe to the Mediterranean, Temsa says). Powered by a TM4 265 kW electric motor and up to 384 kWh of liquid-cooled batteries, it can carry up to 75 passengers and achieve up to 600 kilometers of range depending on configuration.

Iveco Bus is participating in Busworld Europe 2025 in Brussels from October 4 to 9, presenting its range of sustainable vehicles and services at stand 402B, Hall 4. The manufacturer highlights once again a technology-neutral strategy, offering electric, biomethane, biofuel, natural gas, and B100 solutions to support cities and operators in the energy transition.

In recent years, several European countries have adopted models similar to FaaS, supported by infrastructure funds, green bonds and public guarantees. These initiatives, which have enabled the financing of electric buses and fleets, trams, digital ticketing systems and MaaS platforms, confirm that FaaS is one of the most successful solutions for fleet decarbonisation. However, many providers of this model focus on individual aspects of the transition: some on electric vehicles, others only on infrastructure.

Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe ( KVB) has placed an order for 78 electric buses with Jebsen & Jessen e-Mobility, representing the Spanish manufacturer I rizar e-mobility in the DACH area. The procurement includes 38 articulated buses and 40 standard buses, making it the largest single bus order in the company's history. First deliveries are scheduled for October 2026, KVB states in a press note. With this addition, KVB's electric fleet will comprise two brands: the 118 VDL buses already in operation (the latest order with the Dutch manufacturer dates back to 2021) and the newly ordered 78 Irizar buses.

The first fully electric buses have entered service in Essex, England, this week, marking the start of a large-scale transition to zero-emission public transport in the region. Four vehicles are now operating in Basildon, with the rollout set to continue over the coming months until a total of 55 electric buses are in service by the end of the year, says a press note by First Bus.

MAN Truck & Bus has signed a memorandum of understanding with Improtex Trucks & Buses (MAN's local partner) and the Government of Azerbaijan to establish local xKD production of electric buses. The agreement marks a further step in the company's international expansion strategy. The MoU was signed in Baku by Alexander Vlaskamp, CEO of MAN Truck & Bus, Samad Bashirli, Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Fizuli Alakbarov, President of Improtex Trucks & Buses LLC.

On the battery side of things, the new platform integrates BYD's Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) modules directly into the chassis using the so-called cell-to-chassis technology. This means the floor of the bus can be lower because the pack doesn't have to be installed on top of the chassis rails. Going the extra mile is also possible thanks to the impressive 1,000-volt rating of the high-voltage batteries, a first in the bus sector.

Solaris will deliver zero emission buses in Gdańsk for the first time: 30 e-buses, 18 units of 12-metre vehicles and 12 articulated Solaris Urbino 18, are expected to be operational by September next year. The Solaris Urbino 12 electric models ordered by ZTM Gdańsk will be equipped with 600 kWh batteries, while the articulated versions will feature energy storage systems with a capacity of as much as 800 kWh. Solaris to deliver electric buses in Gdańsk The Solaris Urbino electric buses destined for Gdańsk are the latest models in the producer's portfolio, featuring a modular drive system that allows the placement of drive components on the roof, eliminating the need for a traditional engine tower. This solution optimizes passenger space and increases capacity. The 12-metre models will carry up to 70 passengers, while the articulated versions will accomodate as many as 107 passengers.

Scania announced plans to deliver its first fully electric city and suburban buses to Norway, with the fleet scheduled to enter service in Vestfold in summer 2026. The delivery marks the company's initial entry into the Norwegian e-bus market and supports Tide Buss's efforts to operate a zero-emission public transport network in the region. The order includes 41 two-axle buses, each 12.2 meters long, featuring 39 fixed seats, three foldable seats, and standing room.

The Crossway Low Entry Elec, launched already in 2023 (and followed in late 2024 by the normal floor version), features 485-kWh battery supporting CCS2 charging for a stated range of up to 400 km. The bus can carry up to 45 seated and over 70 standing passengers. It's produced in Vysoké Mýto, Czech Republic, where in 2024 as many as 5,000 vehicles were produced, 92 percent of which were Crossways: 57 out of every 100 were produced in the Normal Floor version, with the remaining 43 in the Low Entry version.

back in 2024, Big Bus Tours announced its intention to add another 40 electric buses to its fleet. These were to enter service in London, Paris and Vienna. The fleet expansion consists of 20 new electric buses from Chinese manufacturer Ankai for Paris and Vienna, as well as 20 former combustion engine buses from the existing fleet, which are to be converted to electric drive and then put back into service in London. The conversion is being carried out by specialist Equipmake

The Government of New South Wales, in Australia, has announced the purchase of 151 additional battery-electric buses for Sydney, as part of its Zero Emission Buses program. The new order will bring the number of buses procured since the March 2023 state election to 921. According to the Government, the vehicles will be built by Australian manufacturers, including Custom Denning in St Marys, Western Sydney, with more than 50% local manufacturing content.

The turnkey charging infrastructure has been installed at SWB's Friesdorf depot and includes ten charging points: two CCS2 plug-in chargers and eight pantograph chargers mounted on a steel traverse system. The pantographs operate in " panto-down " mode, lowering onto the charging rails installed on the bus roofs. The use of mobile concrete foundations makes the structure relatively easy to move and reinstall, offering flexibility for future depot needs.

According to Solaris, the contract with Nobina Sverige AB (that has won Malmo contract in late 2024) covers vehicles ranging from the standard 12-metre version to the 24-metre bi-articulated model, enabling the operator to tailor the fleet to both urban and suburban services in Sweden's third-largest city. The breakdown includes: 78 articulated Urbino 18 electric buses with 600 kWh batteries 36 Urbino 24 electric buses with 700 kWh packs 65 low-entry Urbino 15 LE electric buses with 500 kWh batteries a single Urbino 12 with 400 kWh on board

New York State is allocating an additional $200 million to expand its electric school bus program, aimed at increasing the transition to zero-emission vehicles.

Polish city of Białystok has placed an order for 30 Yutong U12 electric buses through Busnex Poland, the local distributor. This follows the delivery of 20 Yutong E12 electric buses in 2023, which are currently in service on the city's public transport network.

Solaris Bus & Coach has signed a contract for 73 articulated Trollino 18 trolleybuses to modernize Vilnius's electric public transport, aligning with zero-emission goals.

Higer Bus has inaugurated its first European spare parts center and service station in Luxembourg, officially unveiled on July 7, strengthening after-sales support and logistics.

The rollout represents one of the most extensive and complex applications of charge management technology in the public transport sector.

The initiative is supported by a total investment of €15 million, financed through Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan and the National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Mobility.

Despite a marked increase in electric bus registrations, which rose from 218 to 353 units in the first half of 2025, overall bus registrations in Italy declined by 21.5%. This indicates an evolving commitment towards fleet decarbonization, with battery-electric buses accounting for 18% of total volumes.