Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G mit vollelektrischem Antrieb, Exterieur, rauchsilber metallic, 2 x elektrischer Radnabenmotor, 2 x 125 kW, 2 x 485 Nm, 7 Festkörperbatterien, 63 kWh pro Festkörperbatterie, Preventive Brake Assist, Sideguard Assist, LED-Scheinwerfer, Länge/Breite/Höhe: 18.125 /2.550/3.400 mm, Beförderungskapazität: 1/157 Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G with all-electric drive, exterior, smoke silver metallic, 2 x electric hub motor, 2 x 125 kW, 2 x 485 Nm, 7 solid-state batteries, 63 kWh per solid-state battery, Preventive Brake Assist, Sideguard Assist, LED headlamps, length/width/height: 18.125 /2550/3400 mm, passenger capacity: 1/157.

In the fast lane: Funding policy has made e-buses competitive

Battery buses not only have the best climate footprint, they are also reliable and economical in everyday use. Bus operators and German manufacturers are confident that the future belongs to battery buses in cities. This is now demonstrated by a study accompanying the federal funding.

The funding of electric buses in local public transport (ÖPNV) by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) has successfully initiated the market ramp-up of electric buses (e-buses) in Germany. With the support of the funding, 65 transport companies in 13 federal states have purchased almost 1,500 battery buses and the associated charging infrastructure. This is confirmed by the accompanying scientific study by a consortium of PwC, ifeu, CP/COMPARTNER, Prognos AG, and EEBC commissioned by the BMWK. The aim of the most comprehensive study to date of e-bus deployment in Germany was to examine the effectiveness of the government funding.

Clear Climate Advantage for Battery Buses

The life cycle analysis of greenhouse gas emissions clearly demonstrates that promoting battery buses was the right move from a climate policy perspective. Taking into account all key phases of a bus’s life cycle – from vehicle production (including the battery) to the provision of fuel or electricity for operation, up to the end of its service life (including battery recycling) – battery buses can already more than halve greenhouse gas emissions compared to diesel buses. Hinrich Helms, project manager at ifeu, emphasizes that this does not even require the exclusive use of green electricity: “Today’s electricity mix is ​​already sufficient. The battery bus is therefore clearly ahead in terms of climate protection compared to other technologies, and with the increasing share of renewables in electricity generation, the carbon footprint will continue to improve.”

Operating Data Demonstrate Suitability for Everyday Use

The operating data demonstrates that operators’ confidence in the electric bus is also increasing. The data analysis is the most comprehensive analysis of real-life vehicle deployments in Germany to date. Operating data covering a total mileage of 41 million kilometers was evaluated. “The data impressively demonstrates the suitability of battery buses for everyday use – the daily mileage of electric buses is approaching that of diesel buses,” says project manager Helms.

Fleet operators and vehicle manufacturers see the future in battery buses

During the course of the study, 18 in-depth interviews were conducted with transport companies, public transport authorities, and bus manufacturers. They show that the stakeholders have clearly committed themselves strategically to battery buses. They also consider battery buses to be significantly more economical than hydrogen fuel cell buses in the medium term. And they have found that battery technology is currently more reliable than fuel cell technology.

Overall, the use and availability of e-buses have grown enormously: By 2023, more than one in four newly purchased city buses was electric. A total of 342 different models were offered on the German market, 82% of which were purely battery-electric models. German manufacturers are leading the way, with their market share at 63%.

The role of fuel cell technology remains limited: The majority of transport companies and manufacturers do not expect hydrogen buses to play a significant role. Given the ongoing development of battery technology, it is considered unlikely that it will remain technically necessary for certain applications.

Background: The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) supported the purchase of electric buses between 2018 and 2024 with a total of €479 million. The “Accompanying Study on the Promotion of Electric Buses in Public Transport” and the “Summary of the Final Report on the Accompanying Study on the Promotion of Electric Buses in Public Transport” were conducted on behalf of the BMWK. The studies are available for download here: https://www.ifeu.de/projekt/begleituntersuchung-zur-foerderung-von-elektrobussen-im-oepnv

Read this and other articles on electromobility and autonomous driving in the current eMove360° magazine in german language. Download the free PDF or order the print version at sabine.metzger@emove360.com.