Further 1,200 zero emission buses funded in Germany (thanks to BMDV fundings)

Further 1,200 zero emission buses awaited on German roads. Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMDV) handed over yesterday the funding certificates (but information on awarded PTOs have not be shared so far) . 1,700 vehicles were funded in a first step, with awarding decisions shared in April 2022.

After 1,700 buses were already approved by the federal government in April, a large number is now being added exactly in the area where we so urgently need them: small and medium-sized transport companies in Germany. This is a strong signal

VDV Vice President Werner Overkamp

On the eve of the VDV Electric Bus Conference and the ElekBu trade fair in Berlin, the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMDV) handed over further funding certificates of the directive for the “Promotion of Alternative Drive Systems for Buses in Passenger Transport” at a separate event.

With 780 registered participants, the electric bus conference has set a new record, VDV says. The ElekBu trade fair has 70 exhibitors, a new record also.

Further 1,200 zero emission buses funded in Germany

Daniela Kluckert, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMDV) emphasised: “In order to achieve the climate protection goals in transport, public transport and local transport companies play a central role. We need transport companies that take a bold step forward and switch to new drive options at an early stage. We support this with our funding for alternative drive buses. I am pleased that this funding offer has been so well received and that with today’s funding commitments alone we will put 1,200 climate-friendly buses on the road in the coming years.”

The VDV industry association welcomes the new momentum in funding applications: “The Federal Ministry of Transport is pushing the e-pedal harder than ever before: after 1,700 buses were already approved by the federal government in April, a large number is now being added exactly in the area where we so urgently need them: small and medium-sized transport companies in Germany. This is a strong signal,” says VDV Vice President Werner Overkamp.

“The number of 1,270 zero emission buses (battery-electric, fuel cell, trolleybuses) that we currently see on German roads will grow strongly. In addition, there will be around 1,500 hybrid buses. In view of the BMDV subsidies, the industry is obliged to put all its efforts into converting infrastructure and fleets – and to qualify its staff accordingly. At the same time, we must continue along this path of electrification. In addition, on-demand transport share should continue to grow in the future – primarily with electric drive,” says Overkamp.

EBUS Award presented for the fifth time

At the traditional presentation of the EBUS Award on the eve of the VDV Electric Bus Conference, three companies from the industry and the public transport sector were acknowledge for their contribution to the development of electric buses in public transport in recent years.

Among bus manufacturers, VDL Bus & Coach was awarded for the further development of battery-electric in terms of low weight, high passenger capacity, range, and MAN for the development of energy-efficient battery buses with large battery capacity to achieve high ranges.

Among the transport companies, Kieler Verkehrsgesellschaft received an award for the rapid conversion of its bus fleet to electric drives.

Individuals were also awarded for their e-bus commitment: Toralf Müller (Verkehrsbetriebe Hamburg-Holstein), Harry Hondius, Stefan Lösel (Verkehrsgesellschaft Ludwiglust-Parchim), Kay Volmer (EvoBus), and Jochen Flasbarth (State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development).

Credit opening picture: MünsterView / Heiner Witte