Esslingen public transport operator orders 48 electric buses from Skoda

The city of Esslingen is investing a total of around 41.5 million euros in the purchase of the new buses. According to the city, the new contract had become necessary due to the insolvency of Belgian bus manufacturer Van Hool. SVE had already ordered new trolleybuses from the Belgian company in 2022. “As energy and raw material prices have now recovered somewhat, the offer from Skoda is even more favourable than the original order from Van Hool,” said Johannes Müller, Technical Plant Manager at Städtischer Verkehrsbetrieb Esslingen. In addition, the city of Esslingen has received funding totalling 27.4 million euros from the Federal Ministry of Transport for the electrification of its local transport system.

SVE is now expecting the first Skoda Group buses to be delivered in the summer of 2026. In an announcement sent to us by email, the manufacturer speaks of 46 units that have been firmly ordered, while the city of Esslingen mentions 52 buses in its own announcement. One thing is clear: Esslingen has opted for a mix of solo and articulated Škoda 32Tr and 33Tr buses, which are 12 and 18 metres long with two and three doors, respectively. The order also includes maintenance and an option for potentially 15 more e-buses. With batteries on board, all trolleybuses are able to travel up to 25 kilometres without contact with the overhead line. […]

SVE is not only initiating the procurement to replace old trolleybuses, but also to expand its 29-kilometre-long trolleybus network by five additional kilometres. Once the new vehicles arrive, Esslingen intends to operate a completely emission-free local transport system: “Thanks to the extensive network of routes with trolley lines, all of the transport company’s lines will be able to be operated exclusively by trolleybuses powered by green electricity from the municipal energy company Stadtwerke Esslingen (SWE),” it says.

“We are very pleased that Škoda Group has been selected for this important contract,” said Karel Majer, CEO of Škoda Electric. “We look forward to close
cooperation with the city of Esslingen and believe that our new trolleybuses will contribute to achieving the goal of 100% emission-free urban transport. Together, we will continue to innovate and develop environmentally friendly
mobility.”

Matthias Klopfer, Mayor of Esslingen, added: “Once the new trolleybuses from Škoda Group are delivered, Esslingen will become one of the first cities in Germany with emission-free local transport. In terms of environmentally friendly mobility, this makes us an absolute pioneer throughout Germany. At the same time, our municipal transport company is making a significant contribution to ensuring that we as a city achieve climate
neutrality by 2040.”

Source: Info via email, esslingen.de (in German)