Budapest, 29.10.2024.
Volánbusz is set to expand its fleet with 20 new environmentally friendly, fully electric Ikarus 120e buses. Supported by the Ministry of Energy and the HUMDA Hungarian Mobility Development Agency, part of the Széchenyi University Group, the bus fleets in Balatonfüred, Hajdúszoboszló, Keszthely, Komárom, Komló, and Tata will soon feature green, eco-friendly public transportation options. The agreement for the delivery of the buses by the Ikarus Group was signed on October 29, 2024.
The successful Green Bus Program continues: following upgrades in the Budapest metropolitan area and six county capitals, six smaller cities will now modernize their public transportation systems with alternative, eco-friendly vehicles. The consortium of Volánbusz and Mobiliti Volánbusz Kft. has secured more than HUF 4.4 billion in funding through HUMDA’s tender. As a result, with 100% support from the Ministry of Energy and HUMDA, Balatonfüred will receive 3 buses, Hajdúszoboszló 1, Keszthely 1, Komárom 2, Komló 7, and Tata 6 new fully electric buses by early next year. The buses are scheduled for delivery within 12 months from the signing of the contract, with the possibility of early fulfillment. Mobiliti Volánbusz Kft., a joint venture of MVM Mobiliti Kft. and Volánbusz, will also build the necessary charging infrastructure, with 80% of the costs covered by the project.
The low-floor Ikarus 120e electric buses can accommodate 30 seated and 55 standing passengers and can travel up to 300 kilometers on a single charge. These air-conditioned buses, which also feature auxiliary diesel heating, provide ample space for wheelchairs and strollers, along with boarding ramps, electronic passenger information systems, onboard cameras, and USB charging points, ensuring a comfortable and safe journey. The buses’ charging needs will be met by high-performance charging stations installed at the Volánbusz depots or bus terminals in the respective cities.
By replacing diesel buses with these new electric models, the affected towns can collectively reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by 850 tons per year.