German Flixbus to use Yutong E-buses
The long distance bus operator Flixbus is planning to introduce its first electric bus line in France. On the road between Paris and Amiens the company wants to use two electric buses as of April, which will be made by Chinese Yutong.
Paris and Amiens are situated about 150 km apart and the buses are said to be able to go around 200 km without having to stop for charging. A one-way trip should thus be possible on one charge, as long no major complications arise.
The director for Flixbus in France, Yvan Lefranc-Morin, said that an electric intercity line had never been offered over such distances.
In February there had already been indicators that Flixbus was considering alternative energy powered buses from abroad: “The German manufacturers have understood that they will have to do something”, said Flixbus co-founder Jochen Engert. He further stated that he believed hybrid solutions to be the next step for bus technologies.
However the step in the French fleet is a first chance to to find out whether the concept works. Initial costs remain high for electric buses, but Flixbus sees its initiative as a social concern, i.e. in the public interest.
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