17 UNVI electric sightseeing buses coming to Vienna

Vienna Sightseeing Tours is taking part to the “Zero Emission Transport” project initiated by the Vienna Chamber of Commerce: the goal of the carrier is that of converting its entire fleet to fully electric buses, as reported on the website of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce.

Davor Sertic, Head of the Transport and Traffic Division at the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, noted that while electric cars and vans are becoming common, seeing double-decker electric buses on the streets is a remarkable step forward.

Vienna sightseeing buses are becoming electric

Vienna Sightseeing Tours currently operates three electric buses from the Spanish manufacturer UNVI, with 14 more on the way. Once all buses are in service, the company will have a completely emissions-free fleet.

UNVI debuted a sightseeing e-bus model in late 2021 in Spain, featuring motors integrated in the wheels manufactured by Ziehl-Abegg (ZAwheel) and BMZ batteries, however it’s not specified if the buses coming to Vienna share the same specifications.

To further support their sustainability efforts, Vienna Sightseeing Tours is building two charging parks in Vienna, powered by green electricity and supplemented with photovoltaic systems.

“We are delighted to be part of Zero Emission Transport and thus contribute to reducing CO2 emissions in Vienna – says Lisa Frühbauer, Managing Director of Vienna Sightseeing Tours -. In the first five years of operation, our 17 electric buses will cover around 2.6 million kilometres and save around 3,100 tonnes of CO2 in the process”.

According to the manufacturer, still as mentioned on the note by Vienna Chamber of Commerce, the buses have a range of 200 kilometres, which is enough to cover the daily mileage on the three Vienna Sightseeing Tours routes. Four batteries, each with a capacity of 72 kWh, are installed inside each vehicle, for a total capacity of 288 kWh on any single vehicle. They can be charged with 150 kW.