Electric buses in operation but face dwindling financial support
Speak Easy:
Hamburg's HVV and VHH fleets are leading the charge, with a total of nearly 640 electric buses on the road. The HVV boasts an impressive 363 electric buses, while the VHH has 276 emission-free vehicles in operation. According to a study by PwC, Hamburg is a frontrunner in electrification compared to cities like Cologne and Berlin.
In December, it was announced that 277 of the VHH's 847 buses were emission-free, due to the retirement of two minibuses. HVV reported a fleet of about 280 electric buses in November, indicating at least 84 new vehicles since then. The companies will provide more details on their plans to electrify their entire fleets at a press conference next week. HVV signed a contract with Daimler Buses in November to deliver up to 350 electric buses over the next five years.
However, these companies face challenges since the federal funding for new acquisitions has come to an end. VHH spokesman Lennart Meyer confirms that they plan to continue the transformation of their fleet and expand the necessary infrastructure at a high pace. By the end of the year, they aim to have 283 electric buses on the road, and by 2024, an additional 150 are expected.
Both VHH and HVV are advocating for more federal funding to maintain their course towards emission-free mobility. Meyer emphasizes the need for joint effort and federal support to achieve this goal.
In other news, around a third of Hamburg's public buses were emission-free in May. However, the additional heaters in all electric buses still run on heating oil, which contradicts the goal of a fully electrified fleet by 2030.
Be in the Know:
- Federally Funded Electric Buses: Despite federal funding for electric buses ending soon, both VHH and HVV aim to continue rapid electrification of their fleets.
- Electric Bus Expansion: The number of electric buses in Hamburg's HVV and VHH fleets is expected to increase to 283 by the end of the year and 433 by 2024.
- Ongoing Advocacy: Companies and local authorities are urging the federal government to provide additional funding to support the transition to emission-free mobility.
Where Else the Wind Blows:
- New Main Station Plan: Things are happening with the ghost tunnels of the main station. Stay tuned for updates.
Sources: dpa, mp, various industry reports and studies.
- The renewable-energy industry, particularly in the public-transit sector, is thriving in Hamburg as both HVV and VHH aim to rapidly electrify their fleets, with over 640 electric buses on the road.
- Finance plays a significant role in the transformation, as both companies have plans to secure additional funding to expand their electric vehicle fleets, despite the end of federal funding for new acquisitions.
- As the finance aspect is addressed, the lifestyle shift towards electric vehicles, including cars and public-transit buses, is gaining momentum, with targets for emission-free mobility set as early as 2030.
- In light of the increasing number of electric vehicles on Hamburg's roads, the transportation sector, including transportation infrastructure, must adapt to accommodate the changing landscape.
- The renewable-energy finance sector and the electric vehicles market are intertwined, as the success of electric buses can serve as a model for other industries, such as car manufacturing, to shift towards sustainable energy sources.
