DB Regio subsidiary Autokraft: Four BYD electric vehicles in operation on the coast

The preparations for deployment are complete – starting immediately, the four BYD electric buses of the DB Regio subsidiary Autokraft will be on the Eiderstedt Peninsula, primarily in the city traffic of Sankt Peter-Ording, reports the transport operator.

"We are proud that our community is a pioneer in the transformation of public transport in the region. As a tourist hotspot, we set an example with the new e-buses, significantly reducing our ecological footprint," said Jürgen Ritter, Mayor of the Municipality of St. Peter-Ording.

Details

The fully air-conditioned, accessible BYD low-floor electric buses are equipped with USB ports at all seats and free Wi-Fi. There are designated spaces inside for passengers with limited mobility as well as open special-use areas for wheelchairs, strollers, e-scooters, and bicycles. Illuminated stop request buttons with Braille, video surveillance, and turn assistants complete the equipment.

The district of Nordfriesland had commissioned the deployment of the electric fleet as the public transport authority with the transport company Autokraft, which operates the South network in the district area. The required charging and maintenance infrastructure has already been created at the Autokraft location in St. Peter-Ording. According to Autokraft, the use of the four electric buses will save 180 tonnes of CO2 and around 30,000 liters of diesel annually.

Promotion

"We are pleased and proud that the public transport authority trusts us and addresses the issues of mobility and energy transition with us, because that actually only works together," says Daniel Marx, spokesman for the management of Autokraft GmbH.

The acquisition was funded as part of the federal funding project "Promotion of the Acquisition of Electric Buses in Public Transport" by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). This covered around 80% of the additional costs compared to diesel buses. Additionally, the costs for the necessary infrastructure were covered 50% by the funding program "Charging Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles" by the Business Development and Technology Transfer Corporation Schleswig-Holstein (WTSH) on behalf of the state. The remaining 20% was covered by the district of Nordfriesland and the municipality of St. Peter-Ording, about one third and two thirds, respectively.

DB electric bus fleet continues to grow

Deutsche Bahn (DB) is advancing electromobility in Schleswig-Holstein. With a total of 22 electric buses operating in Schleswig-Holstein, including four on the Eiderstedt Peninsula, DB Regio subsidiary Autokraft's eco-friendly and resource-saving bus fleet continues to grow.

The first e-buses have been in operation in Eutin since February, and ten more electric buses have been in service on routes in Bad Segeberg since March. According to Autokraft, more electric buses will follow in Heide/Meldorf in July.