Facts and figures on Offenbach's e-bus fleet

The first seven e-buses were gradually put into operation at the timetable change on December 13, 2020 (six of which were standard Solaris Urbino E12 buses and one articulated Solaris Urbino E18 bus). A further 29 buses (20 standard Solaris Urbino E12 buses and nine articulated Solaris Urbino E18 buses) were put into operation in two batches in spring and fall 2021.

The e-buses recharge on schedule at the Kaiserlei turning facility. This leaves safety reserves for the range so that charging can be suspended if necessary.

Locally, the 36 e-buses are emission-free, quiet and run on green electricity.

The calculation is based on the conversion factors (EURO VI, diesel bus) in accordance with the Handbook for Emission Factors (HBEFA 4.1) (opens in a new tab)

Further advantages of the e-buses are the considerable noise reduction and the improvement in the quality of life, particularly in the city center. There are also fewer pollutant and noise emissions in the workshop and on the premises of Offenbacher Verkehrsbetriebe.

In the course of converting the bus fleet to e-buses, investments totaling around 35 million euros (as of Dec. 2023) were made: In addition to the purchase of the 36 e-buses, refurbishment measures were carried out and infrastructure built at the Offenbacher Verkehrsbetriebe depot and at the Kaiserlei terminus.

These investments are of considerable importance to Stadtwerke. Some of the investments were financed by subsidies: The state of Hesse is funding 40 percent of the additional costs for the first seven buses and the charging infrastructure from the European Structural Fund (ERDF). The federal government is funding 80 percent of the additional costs for 29 e-buses from the Energy and Climate Fund (EKF). With a total of 13.2 million euros, Offenbach was able to make effective use of the funding window.

As part of the refinancing of the investment project, Stadtwerke 2022 decided - in cooperation with Evangelische Bank eG, Kassel - to issue a green promissory bill. Unlike a conventional bank loan, the focus on climate-friendly investments is also reflected in the financing through the Green Schuldschein.

Stadtwerke Offenbach has decided to combine all investments made by its companies OVB Offenbacher Verkehrs-Betriebe GmbH and Stadtwerke Offenbach Holding GmbH in connection with the commissioning of the e-buses with a total volume of €25.0 million:

*Subject to the final review of the funding providers.

Construction activities at the Hebestraße site are slightly behind the original schedule; Stadtwerke currently expects to have completed the measures by the end of 2024.

The energy supply for the depot is designed for the entire bus fleet with a view to the future, so that additional e-buses can be charged and used with relatively little effort.

In the first step, this means overnight charging at the OVB depot at Hebestrasse 14 (nine charging points in the hall, one rapid charging point in the depot). Pantographs that can be extended from the bus roof contact charging hoods suspended from the ceiling.

In addition, four simultaneously usable outdoor charging points were installed at the Kaiserlei turning loop (under the highway). There, pantographs contact the charging hoods on the charging poles.

All e-buses are serviced in OVB's fully equipped workshop under a contract with the manufacturer.

A special workstation with a roof work stand and a mobile work platform have been set up in the workshop to access the batteries and pantographs on the roof.

The employees are trained in the use of high-voltage vehicle technology and have subsequently passed a final examination on the training content. Repairs to the high-voltage components are carried out under the supervision of a responsible electrician.

Solaris Urbino E12:

• twelve meters long
• three doors
• 33 seats, 44 standing places
• 316 kWh battery (High-Energy +), approx. 220 kilometers range (SORT2)

Solaris Urbino E18:

• 18 meters long
• four doors
• 45 seats, 53 standing room
• 379 kWh battery (High-Energy +), range approx. 190 kilometers (SORT2)

The batteries are located on the roof and in the rear of the vehicles. The electric drive axle is also located at the rear. The buses have a drive close to the wheels with two motors (individually driven wheels).

Other special features:

• Electric air generation system for the air brakes
• Electric heating and air conditioning via a heat pump. At very low outside temperatures below four degrees, a fossil-fuel heater powered by biofuels can be switched on.
• Additional doors at the rear for faster passenger changes in both standard and articulated buses
• Pedestrian warning system with acoustic signal when approaching bus stops - Acoustic Vehicle Alert System (AVAS)
• Low-floor buses with kneeling technology for barrier-free access
• Exterior loudspeakers for announcements of route and destination
• Large TFT information screens in the interior
• Ambient light (green interior lighting with adjustable light intensity)
• USB charging sockets
• Driver's cab with large partition window
• Illuminated stop buttons in the interior and high-contrast destination indicators