Saxony-Anhalt remains diesel thickness: e-buses without perspective!

Saxony-Anhalt remains diesel thickness: e-buses without perspective!

In the current debate about e-mobility and switching to more environmentally friendly forms of traffic, it can be seen that we still have a long way to go. In Saxony-Anhalt, for example, Ronald Lehnecke, Managing Director of the PVGS Altmarkkreis Salzwedel, sees the great potential for e-buses in the fleet of 100 vehicles. Nevertheless, the reality remains hard: there are currently no e-buses in use and the changeover is considered hardly feasible. The reasons for this are the daily distances that have to cover buses, as well as the need for intermediate loads that require new charging points - and that costs money that is often not available. The political demand for more environmental protection is loud, but the financial support has so far remained inadequate. In Saxony-Anhalt, the diesel bus is still the heart of the traffic sector mdr.de.

What is the need for real change? The questions are numerous: is the power grid suitable for the new e-buses? Which structural changes are necessary? And are there reliable support programs that support municipalities in switching? Critics emphasize that the e-buses are not only a question of technology, but also the financial resources and political support.

Funding opportunities for environmentally friendly buses

In order to give the upcoming switch to e-mobility somewhat emphasis, the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV) has launched a new funding initiative. As part of the German structure and resilience plan, sketches for the procurement of climate-friendly buses can be submitted by September 10, 2023. The goal: every second city bus should drive electrically by 2030. The procurement of battery buses, fuel cell buses and biomethan buses as well as the necessary infrastructure such as loading and refueling points are funded. The total funding volume is an impressive 1.75 billion euros, which should benefit around 5,000 buses with alternative drives bmv.de.

But the requirements for the funding applications are clear: the climate protection contribution and the operating context of the buses are central criteria. It remains to be seen how many transport companies from Saxony-Anhalt can actually benefit from these funding. More than 250 companies are already involved in the promotion of feasibility studies - a good basis to facilitate the transition.

commercial vehicles in the climate -friendly switch

In addition to the city buses, there are also interesting developments in the area of ​​commercial vehicles. As part of the funding program for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in street-bound freight traffic, grants for light and heavy commercial vehicles with alternative, climate-friendly drives and the necessary loading and tank infrastructure are provided. Funds from the DARP are also available for this balm.bund.de.

The switch to alternative drives is not only important from an ecological point of view, but also important for the deserted diversification of the fleet in the region. But as with the buses, the following applies here: the financial support from the federal government is indispensable in order to actually implement the changeover. So it remains exciting how the projects of politics will develop in the coming years and whether the protest of the environmentalists in the fight against the diesel bus is actually heard.