German public transport operator VAG Nuremberg has ordered 46 eCitaro from Mercedes-Benz. The 16 electric solo buses and 30 articulated models will gradually go into service this year, turning almost half of VAG’s fleet to zero-emission.
Nuremberg’s public transit company is already running e-buses across town. The new Daimler eCitaros will meet 39 electric buses from MAN, which the public transport operator reportedly ordered in early 2021. Once Daimler delivers the 46 eCitaros, VAG Nuremberg will run 85 electric buses in the 160-strong fleet. And more vehicles may come: In summer 2022, the BMDV granted funding for e-buses to 41 transport companies, including 56 e-buses for VAG Nuremberg. Ten vehicles are, therefore, still outstanding.
The eCitaro line is quite widespread in Germany. The solo bus has space for a total of 73 passengers. The articulated bus has 44 seats and 83 standing places so that it can carry a capacity of 127 passengers. In the single buses, there are multi-purpose areas for people with wheelchairs, prams or bulky luggage at the level of the second door, and in the articulated buses at the second and third doors.
By 2030, VAG aims to have decarbonised its entire service. To provide enough space and charging capacity for the 46 new e-buses, the depot at the Schweinau site is being expanded. Siemens has already installed charging facilities and the medium-voltage connection for the MAN E-buses there.
During the conversion, an existing depot will be upgraded in terms of fire protection and equipped with charging facilities, VAG informs. The first step is to provide 46 charge points for the eCitaro vehicles on order. As the installation moves into the second phase, VAG will also expand the parking hall with 24 additional covered parking spaces; current plans foresee capacities for 171 electric buses in future.
Verkehrs-Aktiengesellschaft Nürnberg (VAG) has standing relationships with the companies involved. Nuremberg is the second-largest city of the German state of Bavaria after its capital Munich. Apart from VAG bus services, public transit includes three underground and five tram lines.
With reporting by Sebastian Schaal, Germany.
vag.de (in German)
Keyword: Daimler to deliver new e-buses for VAG Nuremberg