The operator of the public transport system in the German city of Esslingen in Baden-Württemberg has long been living with the uncertainty: the city wants to completely electrify its bus network, the existing trolleybus network is to be extended by individual overhead line sections and all city bus routes are to be operated purely electrically by battery-powered trolleybuses. They recharge their batteries, which can be smaller than those of battery-only buses, while travelling under overhead lines without losing any time.
The expansion of the current fleet of 10 Solaris/Kiepe battery trolleybuses was to take place through the procurement of 12 solo and 34 articulated vehicles from the Belgian manufacturer Van Hool, which was to supply its new A12 and A18 models. However, the bankruptcy of the manufacturer forced the Esslingen-based company to rethink. After lengthy discussions in local politics and in the city parliament, the concept was retained and a new invitation to tender was issued, utilising existing, extended funding commitments from the federal and regional government.
The operator Städtischer Verkehrsbetrieb Esslingen (SVE) has now announced the result of the new tender: The Škoda Group will supply the 32 Tr and 33 Tr models, with the bodywork coming from the Czech manufacturer SOR. These models are already in service with various other trolleybus operators in Europe.
As with the first tender, the first firm order comprises 46 vehicles with an agreed option for up to 15 more. From this option, a further 6 (articulated) vehicles have already been firmly ordered and the financing for these has also been secured.
The trolleybuses will be delivered by the end of 2026, with a total order volume of EUR 41,424,600 (excluding the option for 15 trolleybuses). All buses will be equipped with batteries that enable autonomous operation without overhead lines over distances of up to 25 kilometres. Recuperation allows the batteries to be recharged using braking energy, e.g. when travelling downhill. Asynchronous motors drive the vehicles, in the case of the articulated trolleybuses on axles 2 and 3. The trolleybuses will be serviced by Škoda.
The shorter Škoda 32Tr trolleybuses will have two doors and the Škoda 33Tr articulated trolleybuses will have three doors. In addition, the trolleybuses will be equipped with an electric ramp for passengers with pushchairs or wheelchairs and will have modern information systems and internet connectivity via an on-board Wi-Fi network.
30.03.2025
