The very first battery-electric buses by Industria Italiana Autobus started operations today in San Donà di Piave, in the north-west of Italy. Carrier? ATVO. The delivery of four Menarini Citymood 12e is part of a procured fleet of 15 e-buses. This will go along the inauguration of the new bus terminal next spring.

the Menarini Citymood 12e, launched in late 2021, is the only standard size battery-electric bus featuring the ‘made in Italy’ label.

The vehicle features a self-supporting steel frame treated with cataphoresis. It’s based on the CNG bus platform and relies on technology providers such as Cummins group for the motor (former Siemens). On the roof there is space for a maximum of 490 kWh of NMC battery modules, inside there is room for around 100 passengers, 40 of those seated.

Commenting on the partnership, Tiziano Gavardini, the commercial director of IIA, stated, “The new vehicles can travel up to almost 500 kilometers, equipped with advanced safety systems and state-of-the-art fire prevention. Safety is a priority for both us and ATVO. Each vehicle can accommodate up to a maximum of 85 people (28 seats).”

Highlights

Driver shortage pushes bus depots toward automation

Europe’s public transport operators are entering a period where staffing pressure and fleet electrification meet in the same place: the bus depot. Around 105,000 bus and coach driver positions remain unfilled across Europe (IRU figures cited in sector analyses), and a meaningful slice of working tim...

Related articles

Hochbanh to deploy up to 240 electric buses in Hamburg by 2031

New developments are on the horizon for the Hochbahn fleet, Hamburg’s public transport operator: after embarking on the electrification of its vehicle fleet in recent years — with 350 Mercedes-Benz eCitaro buses scheduled for delivery by December 2030 — the company has announced that it will purchas...

Ebusco, from revolutionary promises to the race for survival

Ebusco, that started operations in Europe in 2012, remains under pressure to stabilize its operations and secure long-term viability. The company is currently implementing a Turnaround Plan that includes the transition to a OED (Original Equipment Designer) company, with outsourced production. Let'...