With regard to the usability of electric buses in regional public transport, there is often still scepticism about the accessibility of the significantly higher travel distances compared to urban public transport. The fact that electric buses are now also competitive in regional transport has been impressively demonstrated by a practical trial at the Bachstein transport company.

Back in February of this year, the Bachstein transport company carried out a test drive with an IVECO Heuliez E to test the range of a battery charge in regular service. Despite the cold weather in February, the specified range of between 300 and 350 kilometres was achieved. At this point, it was clear to the company that the 500 kilometre mark could also be achieved with just one battery charge in the next test run.

The record-breaking test drive has now been successfully completed - 543 kilometres, 48 hours on route 750 and no intermediate charging: an impressive record for an IVECO electric bus journey. This is because the vehicle itself is designed to cover only 300 kilometres. For the record-breaking project, the IVECO E-WAY commuted on route 750 in the district of Wolfenbütel in the Braunschweig region on 15 and 16 July from 5.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on just one battery charge. The electric bus had already achieved a range of 520 kilometres in a preliminary test on 12 and 13 July under exactly the same conditions.

Both test drives were accompanied by TÜV Nord employees, who sealed the charging socket on the vehicle and noted the mileage before the start of the first test day. At the end of the second day's driving, the seal was removed again and the range driven was certified.

The team from the Bachstein transport company and the "BusGruppe" partners placed particular emphasis on testing the electric bus under the most realistic conditions possible. The bus therefore travelled on a real route and was on the move in commuter and school traffic, stopped at bus stops, opened and closed its doors, and passengers got on and off again.