Karlsruhe invests in green mobility: New e-bus charging stations in operation!

Karlsruhe invests in green mobility: New e-bus charging stations in operation!

Something is happening in Karlsruhe - and not just in the city center! The Karlsruhe Transport Authority (VBK) inaugurated a new charging infrastructure for its electric buses on Wikingerstrasse today. This improvement is carried out in cooperation with eebc GmbH, which was responsible for the installation and commissioning of the charging points. The VBK is currently using 24 fully electric buses from the manufacturer MAN and plans to double its fleet to a total of 48 vehicles by the beginning of 2026. This is a big step towards lower-emission city transport, as around 80 percent of inner-city buses will then be operated electrically.

What exactly does this innovative charging infrastructure look like? It consists of 16 Power Units and 44 Control Units from the Finnish manufacturer Kempower, which were specifically designed for operation in local public transport. The control units are cleverly mounted on the ceiling in order to use the space in the depot as efficiently as possible. A total of 44 of the 48 parking spaces can be equipped with charging points, providing bus drivers with a convenient and reliable charging experience.

Flexible and modular solutions

What makes the new infrastructure special is its modular structure. This enables multiple charging points to be operated simultaneously, which means that the buses can be charged overnight in classic depot operation. This flexibility is very beneficial for transport companies and is perceived as a major advantage for future use. Finally, easy handling when charging the e-buses is necessary to ensure a smooth process in public transport. The cloud-based software Kempower ChargEye plays an essential role in this. It enables central monitoring and control of all charging points and significantly improves the efficiency of the charging processes.

Thanks to the further developed technology, the infrastructure is not only low-maintenance, but also easy to expand. This means that VBK will remain flexible in the future if the fleet continues to grow or requirements change. The implementation is seen by many as important for electric mobility in public transport and collaboration between companies is highly valued. All that remains to be said is: Karlsruhe is doing good business when it comes to environmentally friendly local transport!

With these efforts, Karlsruhe is actively supporting the expansion of electromobility in the region and showing how modern technology can be integrated into everyday public transport. The new charging infrastructure is a milestone that will benefit the entire urban public transport system. To find out more about the project, interested readers can read the reports from [busplaner.de](https://www.busplaner.de/de/news/karlsruhe-sets-auf-kempower-neue-ladeentwicklung-fuer-growing-e-bus- Flotte-153403.html) and Visit kempower.com.