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.

Berlin, September 24, 2024 The latest electric buses from Ikarus, the V4 models of the 120e and 80e city buses, will be presented at InnoTrans, the world's leading transport technology fair.   A record number of 2,900 exhibitors awaits visitors this year at InnoTrans , where a separate exhibition area is available for bus manufacturers, where, in addition to Ikarus, BYD, Ebusco and Karsan will be exhibiting, among others. On the opening day of the fair, Dr. Volker Wissing, Germany's Federal Minister of Digital and Transport, visited the Ikarus stand, where Roland Fehér , CEO of the Ikarus Group, presented him with Ikarus' latest 100% electric city buses.   “We strongly believe in the opportunities offered by the German market, as the country has made very serious efforts in recent years to support zero-emission transport solutions. That is why we considered it extremely important to present our latest v4 electric city buses here, with which we will visit several cities in Germany in the fall, as part of a joint roadshow with Siemens - said Roland Fehér, CEO of the Ikarus group.

Ikarus made its debut at the Electrobus stand as an independent exhibitor at the Busworld exhibition. A new chapter unfolds for Ikarus as the company introduces a revamped brand design, new leadership, expanded product portfolio, and cutting-edge developments at Busworld, Europe's largest industry expo. In a historic move, Ikarus makes its debut as an independent exhibitor. Ikarus has long been a committed partner in urban transport development, aiming to meet the ever-changing market demands. In preparation for 2024, the company responds with new plans and developments, expanding its product and service portfolio to align with evolving expectations. At the heart of this renewal is the unveiling of the latest electric bus development, the Ikarus 80e midibus, at the exhibition. This compact bus, with a length of 8.5 meters and two doors, boasts independent wheel suspension, accommodating 55 passengers or 18 seated. It features a motor power of 100kW/170kW, 2000Nm torque, and a 281.9 kWh battery. The electric midibus is just one element of Ikarus's 2024 plans. Also showcased at the exhibition are the project plans for the Ikarus 120e v4 and the Ikarus electric articulated bus, the 180e. Thanks to the latest innovations, these vehicles also feature independent wheel suspension. To support engineers and partners, the company has introduced software solutions facilitating the design of new structural solutions. Consistency is maintained across all Ikarus electric buses, using only the highest quality products from suppliers such as KNORR, ZF (BOSCH), CATL, and ACTIA. "With innovations touching every aspect of Ikarus, our goal is to make the company more competitive in the future. Our primary focus is on our future partners who can order or lease even small quantities of electric buses tailored to their unique needs. The expansion of our metal structure portfolio is also strategic, as it efficiently supports our business flexibility while preserving our competencies" – Roland Fehér, CEO, Ikarus. The planned portfolio expansion is expected to enable Electrobus Europe, the arm selling Ikarus buses, to participate in more tenders in the future, with a specific focus on emission-free optimization of urban and small-town public transportation. In addition to expanding the electric bus portfolio, Ikarus is maximizing and optimizing the manufacturing capacity at its Székesfehérvár plant. This involves a greater emphasis on metalworking and welding technologies for product manufacturing, such as assemblies, platforms, and railway car components. Services such as vehicle painting, welding, and plasma cutting will also receive increased focus.

On September 3rd, Ikarus had the privilege of participating in the Elektrobus Forum Belgrad, a professional panel discussion held at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Belgrade.  The event, focused on the greening of urban transportation, was attended by notable figures including József Magyar Hungary's Ambassador to Belgrade, who emphasized that the development of green transportation is key to the region's shared future.  Dejan Popović, President of the Energy Council of the Republic of Serbia, highlighted that the only effective counter to the growing car traffic in Belgrade is the development and electrification of public transportation. Roland Feher , CEO of Ikarus, shared that the Ikarus 80e model has been well-received internationally due to its size and range, and he is hopeful that the Belgrade trials will be equally successful. "We can present a quality product that Hungary can be proud of. Ikarus electric buses can play a key role in shaping sustainable transportation in the region" he emphasized.  The event also saw participation from Dr. Aleksandar Simonović, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Belgrade, who underscored the university's commitment to researching and developing sustainable technologies, and their pride in contributing to the advancement of green transportation.