In the long run, the capital is considerable polluted. It was the deteriorating air quality, caused, among other things, by excessive road traffic, that prompted the management of the Prague City Hall to adopt it. climate commitment. As a result, it should be in Prague by 2024 one fifth less emissions, and by 2030 would a third of the buses were to be powered by Prague’s electric drive. The acquisition of new electric buses from Škoda Transportation is one of the steps to meet this commitment.

Passengers and pedestrians

“The benefits of equipping this electric bus with gas undoubtedly for inhabited areas of Prague through which the lines pass, “Deputy Mayor of the City of Prague told Blesk.cz m of Prague for transport Adam Scheinherr (Prague Sobě). “Compared to a classic bus, there is a lot of electric bus less noisy and is emission-freewhich means by doing so reduce the traffic burden on residentsBy purchasing 14 electric buses, DPP is expected to save about a year 250 thousand liters of diesel, which includes consumption represents more than 700 tons of emissions.

However, not only those who will appreciate the low-floor electric bus, which will already run in the new colors of Prague’s integrated transport, will appreciate it. Given that it is a means of transport, it would be that they do not appreciate its equipment and basics passenger, who will use it for transport. “Because of the operation of the battery they can expect smoother ridethan they are used to with a diesel bus. There is also a bus inside, thanks to the no-noise engine quieter. “

The absence of an engine plays a big role. Thanks to it, it can fit into the electric bus more passengers, than standard buses. “They have an imaginary cabinet in the back, in which the engine is hidden. The electric buses, on the other hand, have batteries hidden on the roof, which means that the body will have about seven extra seats, “said Blesk’s deputy. Passengers according to the manufacturer, it should not fit inside 69.

Two charging points

as it is an electric bus and not a trolleybus, message while driving from the trolley. Still, it has to be recharged. Specifically in the garages in Vršovice. For power supply at full operation The DPP has built so far two charging stations at the Želivského and Strašnická stops. These are trolleys that are stretched over the platform.

When fully charged, the electric bus should be able to cover 100 kilometers, while using electricity, for example heating or air conditioning. To charge to the required value of the electric bus, it is enough to “wait” 15 to 30 minutes at the charging stations. “We are guaranteed by the manufacturer that it would the battery should be at least six years old, “Scheinherr said, although operating costs are higher than for standard buses, DPP received a European Union purchase and operation of electric buses. subsidies. The purchase price of the mentioned 14 vehicles cost the capital to 207 million crowns.

“Although this is not a classic trolleybus, I can say that trolleybuses to Prague 3 belong,”Said the mayor of Prague 3 Jiří Ptáček (TOP 09). Charging stand on Želivského is located on the territory of Prague 3, close to the border with Prague 10. “They were historic here and many people have fond memories of them. I also have a somewhat boyish enthusiasm for the operation of these electric buses in our country, ”he added, adding that in the future, perhaps trolleybuses could occur on line 136.

Turkish body

New purchased electric buses were manufactured by Škoda Transportation in Pilsen. They also took place there first test drive. “It is interesting that it is a cooperation with our sister company Temsa, which for these electric buses in Turkey manufactures bodywork, “ Jan Naglmüller, who is the senior manager of operations management at Škoda Electric, explained. “You are transported by truck to Pilsen, where we provide complete assembly and equipment of electrical equipment. “

Electric buses and trolleybuses

So far, this is a small step. However, Prague does not intend to lose weight when it comes to ecological public transport. “We currently have jone electric bus, to which another 13 should be added during February, “Said DPP CEO Petr Witowski. For those who would like to take a “solitaire” ride by then, a transport company has set up a special one timetable available at website. Soon, however, electric buses will literally abound in Prague. And not just them.

“We will write this year public contracts for another 100 electric buses, which should appear in the transport company’s fleet within three yearsWitowski said. “A public contract for 70 battery trolleybuses is also planned.” Currently, more than 11 kilometers of overhead lines are being built between Palmovka, Prosek, Letňany and Čakovice.. Further trolleybus routes are planned, as well as the extension of electric buses to other existing lines.

“The next step ahead competition of large-capacity trolleybuses for line 119 from Veleslavín to the airportScheinherr outlined. “Electrification then awaits the lines mainly on the left bank of the Vltava, namely in Prague 5 and Prague 6, where trolleybuses used to run in the past, and where buses now run in populated parts of the city. In the future, however, this should also apply lines 201, “Scheinherr mentioned one of the busy lines he manages Holešovice, Holešovičky, Střížkov with Prosekem further Letňany, Kbely, Satalice AND Black Bridge.

This is what the first electric bus looks like, which will be an integral part of the Prague transport company’s fleet from mid-January. David Winter

This is what the first electric bus looks like, which will be an integral part of the Prague transport company’s fleet from mid-January.

Author: David Winter