Austrian operator purchases electric buses with IMC® technology

The buses, which have been supplied by Kiepe Electric, are to replace the existing trolley bus fleet in the Austrian city of Linz and bring an almost 30 per cent increase in capacity to 180 passengers per vehicle.

“These innovative vehicles have three special features,” said Eric Haider, Chairman of the Board of LINZ AG. “They are the first double-articulated buses – and therefore the longest buses – in Austria. They are 100% all-electric and with their modern interiors and comfort features such as full air-conditioning they are extremely passenger-friendly.”

In Motion Charging technology works by recharging the trolleybuses’ batteries while the vehicle is under overhead lines and in conjunction with the cost-effective IMC solution, LINZ AG opted for a moderate battery output (though a high-performance battery can be retro-fitted).

The buses (which have been manufactured by Van Hool in Belgium) are powered by two centrally located low-maintenance asynchronous motors, developed and produced by TSA (Traktionssysteme Austria GmbH) in collaboration with Kiepe Electric in Austria.

As part of this contract, Kiepe has also signed a maintenance agreement for the buses and thanks to its local presence, if the need arises Kiepe Electric Ges. m.b.H. in Vienna can ensure that passenger operations in the Austrian city are virtually back to normal within 24 hours.

“Our excellent customer relations, close coordination with all concerned, our in-depth understanding of the aspirations and requirements of our clients and of the challenges they face, have led to shared successes here in Linz and in a recent mass transit project in Vienna,” Peter Pichler, Managing Director of Kiepe Electric Austria added.

Replacement of the entire fleet is due to be completed by the end of 2019.