Public transportation - State subsidies for new E-buses in Thuringia
The E-bus fleet in Thuringia is getting bigger - the Energy Ministry is supporting with state funding. "Electric buses are an important building block for good and clean public transport", explained Energy Minister Bernhard Stengele (Greens) in Erfurt.
In Thuringia, approximately 48 buses with emission-free propulsion, that is, electricity or hydrogen, will be in operation at various public transport providers in the coming years.
Funding for four transport companies
The acquisition of the vehicles will be supported with money from the state budget or from the EU. The Green politician named funding commitments for the transport companies in Suhl, in the Schmalkalden-Meiningen district, in Gera, or in Weimar as examples.
The City Transport Company Suhl/Zella-Mehlis received 1.97 million Euro for three new electric articulated buses, the expansion of charging infrastructure with four charging pillars, and investments in depots. At the Meininger Busbetriebs GmbH, it's about 2.74 million Euro for six electric buses and two charging pillars.
Millions of Euros have already flowed
The GVB in Gera is preparing to buy three electric buses, as well as further investments in charging infrastructure and the depot. More than 1.37 million Euro have flowed into the eastern Thuringian city. The Stadtwirtschaft Weimar GmbH received over 4.81 million Euro for six buses and investments in the bus depot.
Many Thuringian public transport companies, according to Stengele, already have good experiences with the quiet electric vehicles and are continuously expanding their offerings. The ministry is supporting this with its funding program for a sustainable and future-oriented public transport with emission-free vehicles, the minister added.
Since 2017, the Energy Ministry has granted approximately 32 million Euro in subsidies from the European Regional Development Fund for the promotion of a sustainable and future-oriented public transport with emission-free vehicles. The funding rules are currently being revised. The new version should come into force by the end of the third quarter.
- The Energy Ministry in Thuringia is backing the expansion of the E-bus fleet, providing state funding and subsidies from the European Union's Regional Development Fund.
- In Weimar, the Stadtwirtschaft GmbH has benefited from this funding, receiving over 4.81 million Euro for six electric buses and investments in the bus depot.
- The City Transport Company Suhl/Zella-Mehlis, located in Suhl, received 1.97 million Euro for three new electric articulated buses, charging infrastructure expansion, and depot investments.
- The Meininger Busbetriebs GmbH in Meiningen, Schmalkalden-Meiningen district, was allocated 2.74 million Euro for six electric buses and the installation of two charging pillars.
- The ministry's funding program supports a sustainable and future-oriented public transport, with emission-free vehicles, such as electric buses, playing a crucial role in Thuringia's public transport system.
- The acquisition of electric buses by various transport providers in Thuringia, including those in Erfurt, Gera, and Weimar, is an essential measure to reduce traffic emissions and promote clean energy transportation.
- According to Energy Minister Bernhard Stengele, Thuringia's public transport companies have had positive experiences with quiet electric vehicles and are continuously expanding their offerings, receiving subsidies to boost the use of emission-free vehicles for public transport.
