The biennial International Bus Euro Test was held in the beautiful Czech Republic. Professional journalists from 24 countries form the International Bus & Coach Jury. The Bus Euro Test 2024 was held in and around the Czech city of Kladno and organized by Czech jury member Michal Štengl, editor-in-chief of the Magazín Transport a Logistika CZ. The participants: MAN Lion's City 12 E LE, Mercedes Benz eCitaro FC Hydrogen, Ebusco 3.0 Articulated, Solaris Urbino 18 Hydrogen and the VDL New Citea. The International Bus of the Year 2025 is traditionally announced during the IAA in Hannover.
This Bus Euro Test included three battery-electric buses, one fuel cell bus and one battery-electric bus with a fuel cell as a 'range extender'. Four twelve meters and two articulated eighteen meters. The MAN Lion's City 12 E LE is the latest low entry e-bus from the German manufacturer, the Ebusco 3.0 Articulated surprises by it low weight 14.900 kilograms and the batteries in the floor, the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro combines a batterie driveline with fuel cell range extender for a longer range, the Solaris Urbino 18 Hydrogen is a fully hydrogen driven articulated bus and the VDL New Citea differentiates itself with an aerodynamic design and a well thought-out interior. These five buses are also of great interest to customers, as evidenced by the various orders that has been placed in the past year. The test routes took place in and around Kladno, a fairly large city about half an hour's drive from Prague. In Kladno, Arriva has a new depot for electric buses that provided the necessary space and
facilities for the event. In even years, the International Bus & Coach Jury organizes the Bus Euro Test and in odd years the Coach Euro Test. The Bus & Coach Euro Test is held in a different country each episode, organized on a voluntary basis by one of the jury members. And that is no easy task. After all, it involves hotel arrangements for a group of about sixty people, plotting a route and arranging transport to and from the airport. The jury members pay their own travel and accommodation costs. In Busworld and ZF Friedrichshafen, the jury has had important sponsors for two dinners for many years. The first day of the Bus Euro Test traditionally starts with acceleration and braking tests. Days two and three are filled with presentations by the manufacturers and a technical tour of the vehicles and of course test driving. For the record: it is not a comparison test, the jury assesses the buses separately on their own characteristics. The route that is driven is as similar as possible to an existing public transport route
with stops at the various stops, although this is not always easy, because you naturally cross regular public transport services - this has been coordinated with the public transport company. On the last day, the jury consultation takes place and the International Bus of the Year is chosen. The award for the International Bus of the Year 2025 will be presented this year during the IAA in Hannover.