Budapest Transport Corporation tests the first Hungarian articulated e-bus

After the MÁV Group, from Friday, Budapest Transport Corporation will be testing the brand new electric buses of the leading Hungarian bus manufacturer Kravtex-Kühne Group, including the first ever Hungarian articulated e-bus. Passengers in the capital can try out the vehicle innovations free of charge on the e8E and e210 routes from the afternoon of April 11 until April 14. The Credobus Electronell models, manufactured in Mosonmagyaróvár and Győr and developed in Hungary, are the lightest and most efficient steel-framed e-buses in the world. The Kravtex-Kühne Group, which has manufactured more than 3,000 buses to date, is ready to participate in the electrification of domestic public transport with the Electronell family.

The Kravtex-Kühne Group presented its first 100% electric bus in Győr in June 2024. A few months after the solo Electronell 12, the 18-meter articulated member of the model family, the Electronell 18, also arrived. The latter is the first Hungarian articulated e-bus ever made.

The Kravtex-Kühne Group handed over both buses to the MÁV Group on the last day of March, which tested the vehicles on suburban routes in the Érd area. As a continuation of this, BKV will take over the vehicles from April 11 to convince itself of the excellence of the Electronells in urban conditions. The Electronell 12 will operate on the e210 route between Gyöngyösi utca and Svábhegy, while the Electronell 18 will operate on the e8E route between Kelenföld railway station and Újpalota, Nyírpalota út until the closure of operations on April 14.

The buses have already proven themselves at the MÁV Group

During the intensive test that started on March 31 at the MÁV Group, the buses covered a total of more than 4,000 kilometers in varied traffic and weather conditions, with 100% availability. The participating drivers highlighted the dynamic drivetrain, the excellent cornering stability, and the virtual instrument cluster that can be controlled from the steering wheel. The majority of them stated that they would choose Hungarian Credobuses as their work equipment even over products from international bus manufacturers. Based on the questionnaire survey conducted during the test period, 93.3% of passengers were satisfied or very satisfied with the buses. They particularly appreciated the comfortable seats with extra foam padding, which could also charge their mobile devices via a USB port.

During the test run, the buses operated exclusively with electric heating (without an additional diesel heater). Despite this, their energy consumption proved to be extremely low, so their average range consistently exceeded 300 kilometers. On the most favorable day, the range of the articulated bus approached, and that of the solo bus exceeded 400 kilometers.

The numerical results of the test runs in the capital and the extremely positive user feedback may also contribute to the new, zero-emission models gradually starting to replace the nearly 3,000 diesel-powered Credobuses on Hungarian roads. The Kravtex-Kühne Group is preparing for the series production of the new Electronell models.

The 'most Hungarian' and most innovative e-buses

Credobus was able to develop world-class Hungarian e-buses independently, without a general partner. The Kravtex-Kühne Group created Electronellek in its research and development project worth more than 1.5 billion forints, mainly from its own resources. The buses, which are produced in 12-meter solo and 18-meter articulated versions, are barrier-free and suitable for both urban and suburban transport.

The Electronells manufactured in Mosonmagyaróvár and Győr have an extremely high Hungarian added value. In addition to production, the key system integration and software development tasks were also implemented in Hungary. The production of the buses directly contributes to the preservation of nearly 500 Hungarian jobs and provides work for another 100 domestic manufacturing companies - from large corporations to micro-enterprises. The main suppliers with domestic production sites include: Rába, Knorr-Bremse, Metal 99, OROSházaGLAS, Hirschler Üvegipari Vállalkozás, König, Graboplast, Semperform, HC Linear, Matic, Jász-Plasztik.

Credobus has attracted interest from electric bus operators across Europe with its new products. Thanks to breakthrough technical innovations, the Electronells weigh at least 2 tonnes less than the market average in the single version and at least 4 tonnes less than the articulated version, making them the lightest metal-framed e-buses. Due to lower energy consumption, the targeted range of 300 kilometres is achieved with a battery pack that weighs 25% less. The solution has a positive impact on all cost factors from production to recycling, and the smaller battery capacity also reduces the cost of replacing energy storage devices. According to preliminary calculations, this results in a best-in-class life cycle cost.

The low weight is ensured by the optimization of the frame and the 19.5” chassis. Credobus emphasizes that the chassis configuration of the articulated version is unique in the world.

About Credobus

The Kravtex-Kühne Group of Győr-Mosonmagyaróvár is one of the largest domestically owned mechanical engineering companies in Hungary. Kühne, which belongs to the group, is the oldest still operating mechanical engineering factory in Hungary, with a history dating back to 1856. In addition to its main business of bus production, the group also deals with agricultural machinery production, metalworking contract manufacturing and passenger transport. Credobus' market share in the public transport segment in Hungary has averaged around 50% in recent years. Based on the number of units produced, it has been among the 15 largest European bus manufacturers for years.

Bus production takes place at two locations. In Mosonmagyaróvár, on the territory of Kühne's 20-hectare machine factory, one of the largest bus manufacturing plants in Central and Eastern Europe, covering more than 20,000 square meters, was built, where the frame and metal parts are manufactured. In Győr - after the painted, varnished frame structure is delivered by road - the final assembly and handover takes place.

Among Hungarian manufacturers, the Kravtex-Kühne Group currently has the widest product range. It is the only one to offer articulated buses and is capable of producing both diesel and electric buses.