Wiener Linien is testing new technology.

The bus is a so-called range extender powered by an electric motor with a battery, and the hydrogen fuel cell generates additional electricity while driving. This means the range is higher than that of conventional electric buses. According to the manufacturer, the maximum is 350 kilometers.

“put through her paces”

Through the test, Wiener Linien primarily wants to find out how long the range actually is in everyday use. Because more than half of the buses are articulated buses, they play an important role in handling the daily passenger volume. The switch to emission-free buses in this region must therefore be planned particularly carefully, says Wiener Linien.

“Our buses must meet high standards, regardless of the type of driving they operate in: they must easily cope with short stopping distances, frequent time intervals, intensive passenger changes and 24-hour services. That’s why we put new materials in our steps,” emphasizes Alexandra Reinagel, CEO of Wiener Linien.

Trial operation on lines 13A, 15A, 66A

The bus runs on route 13A on Tuesday, 15A on tomorrow, Wednesday and Saturday, and 66A on Thursday and Friday. These routes were chosen for the test because of their different requirements. The 13A has to navigate narrow urban canyons at a low average speed, the 15A has to deal with steep climbs, and the 66A challenges the bus and driver with continuous uphill and downhill journeys. The ride is free during the test runs, according to Wiener Linien, and passengers do not need a ticket.

Only in February of this year did Wiener Linien open a new competence center for electric mobility. Six bus lines have now been converted to purely electric drives, and 30 twelve-meter electric buses are in use. By the end of 2025, a total of sixty large electric buses and ten hydrogen buses are expected to be on the road in Vienna. In addition, an agreement has been reached to purchase ten new battery-powered and hydrogen-powered minibuses for the city center, which will be in use from 2025.