During operational trials initiated by Nordhessischer Verkehrsverbund (NVV), the public transport authority for northern Hesse, Germany, the CROSSWAY Low Entry ELEC exceeded 500 km range on a single charge while operating regular interurban services with significant elevation changes as IVECO BUS reports.
The trials, conducted by operator Frölich Linie on NVV network routes, form part of an evaluation programme assessing alternative drivetrain technologies under everyday operating conditions to identify the most suitable solutions for different operating environments, from dense urban traffic to challenging rural and interurban services. Through this initiative NVV aims to prepare the gradual deployment of vehicles powered by alternative drivetrains across its network, which currently comprises nearly 290 regular routes operated by more than 600 buses and around 30 minibuses. Launched at the end of April 2026, the project has run to the end of August 2026. It brings together several transport companies and vehicle manufacturers, with tests carried out on bus
routes across the five districts of northern Hesse. In this context, the CROSSWAY LE ELEC tested by Frölich Linie was deployed on routes 200 and 290. Route 200 connects Eschwege with Kassel and covers more than 500 km each day. Route 290 also serves the Hoher Meißner area, featuring particularly demanding topography and significant elevation changes. The programme will enable the anticipating operators to share their operational feedback with NVV in order to identify the most efficient solutions for the region. The CROSSWAY LE ELEC used in the trial was equipped with a 485 kWh battery, the largest battery capacity IVECO BUS can offer for the vehicle.