Three electric shuttles for Nice Airport: Transdev rolls out a batch of eCitaro

Transdev Alpes Maritimes and the airport of Nice (Nice Côte d’Azur Airport), France’s 2nd largest airport platform, have been operating since November 2019 a first batch of 3 electric shuttles. The Mercedes eCitaro battery-electric buses transport passengers 7 days a week, from 4:30 am to 00:30 am, between the terminals and the car parks.

Officially launched in September 2018, Mercedes eCitaro series production started a couple of months later and between the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019 the first deliveries were put in place.

Electric shuttle for Nice Airport

This technological choice is part of a wider plan that has enabled the airport to become the first in France to achieve Carbon Neutrality within the framework of the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, and will allow it to pursuit its commitment of zero CO2 emissions by 2030, Transdev points out. With a range of 160 km (or 8 hours in operation) and 12 metres long, these shuttles can accommodate around 90 people.

The eCitaro reduces the greenhouse gas emissions by 250 tonnes of CO2 eq. and considerably reduces noise pollution.

Still in France, in September 2020, Rennes Métropole placed a record order for 92 electric buses Mercedes eCitaro, for a 60 million euros investment. The news is reported on the local media Ouest France. The huge order comes after a pilot with a few units of Bollorè Bluebus e-bus. It marks the greatest commercial success so far for the eCitaro in France (where Iveco-Heuliez plays at home) and stands out for being one of the main order of e-buses coming from France to date, following the framework agreement of RATP Paris for the purchase of up to 800 e-buses.