Trollino trolleybus begins operation in Esslingen am Neckar

The German city of Esslingen am Neckar has welcomed the first of four Solaris trolleybus Trollino’s which operate independently from overhead wire power.

The first of four zero emission Trollino trolleybuses has begun service in Esslingen am Neckar in the region of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The vehicles have been delivered by a consortium of Solaris Bus & Coach and Vossloh Kiepe and can run independently without the need for overhead wire power.

The addition of the Trollino has opened up new opportunities for operator SVE Esslingen, allowing it to commence with its TrolleyPlus project. The vehicles are equipped with an innovative lithium-titanate battery set, which allows them to operate without traction energy supply. Thanks to this new solution, the operator can offer zero-emission public transport in the areas out of traction reach. The 43 seat vehicles also provide LED interior lighting and daytime driving lights.

Attending the official trolleybus presentation, Winfried Hermann, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Baden-Wuerttemberg, defined the investment as a ‘flagship project of nation-wide importance.’

Trollino trolleybus will operate emission free on the Esslingen transport network

German producer Vossloh Kiepe was responsible for the delivery of the traction system, the drive and the batteries of the articulated 18.75-metre Trollino. Each vehicle is fitted with double axle drive, which means that two electric motors power two of the trolleybuses’ three axles. According to Solaris, the result is significantly improved acceleration and traction assuring reliable electric breaking with a great recovery of power. The effect is a bus combining the best features of trolleybuses and battery buses.

The order was co-financed by the Baden-Württemberg state as well as Stuttgart region in the framework of ‘Model region of sustainable urban mobility’ programme.