Borkum: E-bus passes the 200,000 km mark

The bus fleet of Borkumer Kleinbahn (BKB) has celebrated a ‘round-number’ milestone. The first electric bus on the largest East Frisian island has passed the 200,000 km mark after three years of operation.

Kleinbahn’s managing director Theo Robbers comments: “This is a happy day for us; we feel we made the right decision.” The e-bus serves the island’s public transport system, driving up to 395 km per day depending on the season and the resulting passenger volume. Sufficient battery power is ensured by recharging for 30 minutes twice a day during shift changeovers.

One hundred percent of the electricity needed for operation comes from renewable sources. Part of the electricity is generated by the company’s own solar plant on the roof of its vehicle depot. In total, 70,000 litres of diesel have been saved by using the bus since 2017, thereby avoiding around 180,000 kg of CO2 and 1200 kg of nitrogen oxides. Particulate emissions are avoided altogether. The emissions balance also benefits from lower noise pollution thanks to reduced engine noise.

The e-bus and its advantages have met with a positive response from passengers and residents, and also from BKB’s bus drivers. A second e-bus of the same type is currently being put into operation, with a view to creating a low-emission future for the island’s transport system. It will be used for round trips or transfers and public transport on the Reede-Bahnhof-Ostland route.

On site, celebrating passing the 200,000 km mark: Sales Manager Germany Wolfgang Hackauf, Managing Director Michel van Maanen, Managing Partner Peter Bijvels (all Ebusco), BKB Managing Director Theodor Robbers and Operations Manager Rudolf Munk, plus Ebusco Sales Manager Steven van der Burg.
21 August 2020. Photo: BKB

Article: Bus&Bahn Germany