Kempower is driving the electrification of the NIGGBUS fleet in Austria
Ten e-buses save 680 tonnes of CO₂ per year
The transport company NIGGBUS from the Vorarlberg Rhine Valley, Austria, has taken a decisive step towards emission-free mobility: Fully electric buses will be added to the fleet with immediate effect, which will travel emission-free through the greater Feldkirch area in Austria in the future. A total of ten electric buses will be in operation by the end of 2025. All 28 of the company’s buses will be converted to electric in the following years – an average of three vehicles per year. The charging technology will be supplied by Kempower, one of the leading providers of fast-charging technology for electric vehicles.
Innovative charging infrastructure for smooth operation
In order to ensure the smooth operation of the electric buses, a high-performance charging infrastructure was installed on the company premises. This comprises ten charging points with Kempower satellites, each offering 160 kW of power. A transformer converts medium voltage (22,000 volts) into the required voltage of 800 volts, while two Kempower Power Units with a total output of 800 kW act as rectifiers. The electric buses can be fully charged in a maximum of three hours, ensuring their continuous operational readiness.
‘We are delighted to be working with NIGGBUS and vlotte vkw to drive forward the electrification of local public transport in Vorarlberg and thus make a significant contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions in the region. Our fast-charging solutions are designed to ensure the availability of the e-bus fleet at all times and to meet the demanding requirements of daily operations. With this installation, we are sending a strong signal for the future of emission-free transport,’ explains Philipp Oppolzer, Regional Business Development Director Central Europe at Kempower.
The first fully electric bus has been in operation since September this year and saves around 68 tonnes of CO₂ per year. Four more e-buses will follow in November 2024.
NIGGBUS Managing Director Gerhard Pertoll explains: ‘The integration of Kempower technology enables us to precisely control the charging processes and ensure that our fleet is always ready for use. With a range of 300 kilometres per charge, the bus is ideal for urban and regional transport. Every new investment reinforces our commitment to environmentally friendly, sustainable local transport.’
Sustainable investment in e-mobility and infrastructure
NIGGBUS is investing a total of 7.5 million euros in the electrification of its fleet and the expansion of its premises by 3,000 square metres. The new electric buses, optimised for urban and intercity transport, not only offer environmentally friendly and quiet operation, but also a high level of comfort for the approximately nine million passengers a year.
The planning and implementation were realised by Kempower’s project planning and distribution partner vlotte vkw GmbH (a spin-off and subsidiary of illwerke vkw). ‘We are delighted to be part of this pioneering project. It impressively demonstrates that e-mobility also has a clear future for heavy commercial vehicles,’ emphasises Philipp Oesterle, Managing Director at vlotte vkw.
On the road to emission-free mobility
Electrifying our fleet is just the beginning,’ emphasises Pertoll. ‘Our goal is to embed sustainable public transport at all levels and actively contribute to environmental protection. With Kempower, we are already taking a decisive step towards realising our sustainability goals. What we particularly appreciate about Kempower’s technology is the user-friendly and elegant design as well as the informative display with QR code for monitoring charging. The system runs smoothly and without any faults.’
About NIGGBUS
NIGGBUS GmbH is a private bus company specialising in local public transport. As the operator of Stadtbus Feldkirch and a partner of Landbus Oberes Rheintal, Landbus Walgau and Verkehrsverbund Vorarlberg, NIGGBUS provides environmentally friendly mobility for over nine million passengers every year, covering more than 1.5 million kilometres. Founded in 1925, the Rankweil-based family business currently employs over 80 people from 16 different countries. Of the 29 modern low-floor buses, eleven are hybrid-powered and five will soon be fully electric: the company has already successfully made the transition from an already low-emission to a completely emission-free bus fleet.
Press Contact
Philipp Schiwek
Marketing Communications Manager
Mobile +49 172 5478 063
philipp.schiwek@kempower.com
About Kempower
We develop and manufacture reliable and user-friendly DC fast charging solutions for electric vehicles. Our vision is to develop the world’s most desirable charging solutions for electric vehicles – for everyone, everywhere. Our product development and production are based in Finland and the USA, with most of our materials and components sourced locally. We focus on all areas of electric mobility, from electric cars, trucks and buses to machines and ships. Our modular and scalable charging system and world-class software have been developed by electric car drivers for electric car drivers, providing an optimised user experience for our customers around the world. Kempower is listed on the main market of Nasdaq Helsinki.
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