Verkehrsbetriebe Hamburg-Holstein GmbH, Hamburg, Germany, is electrifying the Hamburg metropolitan region in a swift pace. The public transport provider has ordered 95 Mercedes-Benz eCitaro and eCitaro G buses. The first of the emission-free buses is expected to be delivered by the end of this year, while the other vehicles will be delivered in the first half of 2024. In addition, VHH has secured an option for a maximum of 155 further vehicles by 2028. It is the second order from VHH after having awarded MAN Bus with a framework contract for 100 ebuses.
VHH operates 170 routes throughout the Hamburg metropolitan region. With more than 2,300 employees and around 670 buses at 17 sites It is the second-largest local transportation company in northern Germany. The vehicles cover around 34 million kilometres in Hamburg and the region Schleswig-Holstein every year, carrying around 62 million passengers. With the “Elexity” brand, VHH is bundling all aspects of sustainable mobility – from the infrastructure at depots to specially trained staff and vehicles that run on 100 percent green electricity. Since 2020, VHH has been exclusively procuring locally emission-free buses for use in Hamburg’s urban area. The goal is to convert the VHH vehicle fleet to zero-emission drives as far as possible by the 2030s VHH already has 37 eCitaros and eCitaro Gs in use. The first vehicles were put into operation in 2020, shortly after the start of the model's series introduction. The current order consists of 47 three-door Mercedes-Benz eCitaro solo
buses and 48 four-door eCitaro G articulated buses. They feature high-performance NMC3 batteries. An energy capacity of 490 kWh for the solo bus and as much as 588 kWh for the articulated bus ensure a practical range without intermediate charging. The buses are therefore charged at VHH depots. Charging sockets on both the left and right at the height of the front wheel arches ensure a high degree of flexibility at the depot. The buses are equipped with Preventive Brake Assist, Sideguard Assist and the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS), anti-roll protection as well as the ESP electronic stability program in the solo bus, plus the anti-jackknifing protection ATC (Articulation Turntable Controller) in the articulated bus. Passenger comfort is by no means lagging behind either with a friendly interior with a wood-look floor, upholstered City Star Function seats, dedicated zones for wheelchairs and/or strollers, USB charging sockets and 29-inch TFT screens.