Iveco Bus Crossway Low Entry Elec tested beyond 500 km on NVV interurban routes in Germany

The Iveco Bus Crossway Low Entry Elec exceeded 500 km on a single charge during operational trials on regular interurban routes in northern Hesse, Germany.

The tests were carried out by operator Frölich Linie as part of a programme initiated by Nordhessischer Verkehrsverbund (NVV), the public transport authority for northern Hesse. According to Iveco Bus, the vehicle operated regular services featuring long daily distances and significant elevation changes.

The Crossway Low Entry Elec was launched by Iveco Bus in 2023, with production at the Vysoké Mýto plant in the Czech Republic. The model has since become part of a wider expansion of the European battery-electric intercity bus offering: as of mid-2026, Sustainable Bus counted seven dedicated normal-floor battery-electric intercity platforms available in 12 variants, alongside the growing range of Low Entry models. The Crossway Low Entry Elec also made its Turkish debut at Busworld Turkey 2026, where Iveco Bus displayed the 13-metre Class II version with seven battery packs and 485 kWh of installed capacity.

Crossway Low Entry Elec tested on routes 200 and 290

The trial involved a Crossway Low Entry Elec equipped with a 485 kWh battery. Frölich Linie deployed the vehicle on NVV routes 200 and 290, with route 200 connecting Eschwege and Kassel and requiring more than 500 km of operation per day.

Route 290 includes the Hoher Meißner area and sections with significant elevation changes. According to Iveco Bus, the Crossway Low Entry Elec completed more than 500 km on a single charge during the programme. Frölich Linie also reported that the vehicle exceeded the range stated by the manufacturer on some occasions.

The testing programme started at the end of April 2026 and ran until the end of August, involving several operators and vehicle manufacturers across the five districts of northern Hesse. NVV operates a network of nearly 290 regular routes served by more than 600 buses and around 30 minibuses. The programme was established to evaluate alternative drivetrain technologies under regular operating conditions.

Up to 485 kWh for the Iveco Bus Crossway Low Entry Elec

The Crossway Low Entry Elec is available in 12- and 13-metre lengths and in Class I urban and Class II interurban configurations. Its modular battery system can accommodate between five and seven packs, installed on the roof and in the rear compartment, for a maximum capacity of 485 kWh.

Passenger capacity reaches up to 44 seats in the 12-metre version and 48 seats in the 13-metre model. Iveco Bus also offers the Crossway Elec in 12- and 13-metre versions for Class II and Class III interurban and school transport applications, with different configurations for luggage compartment capacity.

In brief

• What range did the Crossway Low Entry Elec achieve in Germany?
  The bus exceeded 500 km on a single charge during regular interurban operations.
• What battery capacity did the test vehicle have?
  The vehicle was equipped with a 485 kWh battery.
• Where was the bus tested?
  Frölich Linie operated it on NVV routes 200 and 290 in northern Hesse.
• Which versions of the Crossway Low Entry Elec are available?
  Iveco Bus offers 12- and 13-metre versions in Class I and Class II configurations.

“We were pleasantly surprised and impressed by the range of the electric bus we operated on our routes 200 and 290. On some occasions, the bus even exceeded the range quoted by Iveco Bus, despite the fact that route 290 also runs through the Hoher Meißner area with significant elevation changes,” said Bianca Frölich, Managing Director of Frölich Linie.

“These operational results clearly demonstrate that the Crossway LE Elec has a role to play in supporting the energy transition of regions beyond purely urban environments. Its combination of long range, battery modularity, passenger capacity and reliability in real-world operation, this vehicle provides public transport authorities and operators with a high-performance, flexible electric solution tailored to their day-to-day operational constraints,” said Giorgio Zino, Head of Commercial Operations Iveco Bus Europe.