Austrian transport operator Dr. Richard Gruppe has introduced its first fully electric coaches into regular service, becoming the first bus company in Austria to deploy battery-electric long-distance coaches.
The company has placed three Yutong T12E vehicles into operation. Two are based at its Vienna depot, while the third operates in Salzburg. From these locations, the coaches will be used for day trips, city tours and shuttle services within a range of approximately 380 kilometres. Each vehicle can carry up to 50 passengers.
Dr. Richard said it selected the T12E following extensive market analysis and testing of multiple manufacturers. “The provider meets all guidelines, EU standards, and its buses are already successfully in use across Europe. Quality, technology and availability were ultimately the decisive factors in the decision,” the company stated.
The T12E is equipped with a 350 kW electric motor delivering up to 3,200 Nm of torque. It uses a 400 kWh LFP battery pack with an energy density exceeding 160 Wh/kg. According to the manufacturer’s specifications, the coach consumes less than 1.05 kWh per kilometre, enabling a range of around 350 kilometres. Dr. Richard cites an operational range of roughly 380 kilometres under its usage conditions.
Charging takes place at up to 150 kW at the company’s depots. Dr. Richard already operates battery-electric city buses and an electric “Hop-on Hop-off” fleet in both Vienna and Salzburg, supported by on-site charging infrastructure. In Salzburg, subsidiary Albus runs 49 electric city buses powered partly by an expanded photovoltaic system, with nine additional vehicles scheduled to enter service in May.
“We are delighted to be the first bus company in Austria to put fully electric coaches into operation, marking an important step towards sustainable mobility,” said Lukas Hackl, Managing Director of Dr. Richard Gruppe. “After extensive testing and analysis, we have found a practical solution for electric coach transport, which is a real game-changer for the industry.”