Too cold for the batteries - Brand new electric buses paralyzed in Oslo
The transport operator confirms that the electric buses are simply not reliable enough in winter: "The range of the electric buses decreases drastically in the cold. The batteries run out more quickly." In total, around 140 departures were affected.
Oslo wants to make local public transport completely emission-free. This is why 183 new electric articulated buses were delivered in April 2023. The 100 million euro contract for this was signed last year. The buses are to run on Oslo's busiest routes.
The new buses from Solaris were highly praised in advance and everything went well during the summer. But now, with the onset of winter, the weaknesses of the electric vehicles are becoming apparent: although a range of 250 kilometers is actually advertised, the buses sometimes simply break down.
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- Despite the challenges with battery life in cold weather, the transport advisor still advocates for the phased implementation of Electric cars into Oslo's public transportation system, hoping to eventually fully replace traditional vehicles.
- To minimize the impact of battery drain in electric buses, the advisor suggests considering installing additional rechargeable battery storage units at key transit stations throughout the city.
- Recognizing the reliability issues with electric motors in cold weather, the transport company is exploring partnerships with battery manufacturers to develop improved battery technology specifically tailored for their electric bus fleet's winter operations.
