Irizar e-mobility strengthens their presence in Germany by supplying 78 electric buses to KVB Cologne
Irizar e-mobility has won a contract by German operator Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe AG (KVB) to supply 78 completely electric buses for the city of Cologne. The contract has been signed through the Irizar e-mobility distributor in Germany, Jebsen & Jessen Industrial Solutions GmbH.
The model chosen by KVB is the new Irizar ie bus Efficient, which has recently been presented by the company. The vehicle includes major advances in efficiency, capacity, accessibility, comfort, safety, and sustainability. With this acquisition, Cologne has become one of the top cities for putting this new vehicle on the road.
The delivery of the first units is expected for late 2026, and the rest of the fleet will be delivered in 2027. Out of the total, 40 units will be 12 metres long, and the other 38 will be 18 metres long. With the inclusion of these new vehicles, KVB will be operating two thirds of their fleet 100% electrically.
The vehicles can be charged with a Combo 2 outlet or using a (bottom up) pantograph, and they will be integrated into the sequential charging system of the KVB garages. They will be equipped with a new generation of batteries developed by Irizar e-mobility, in addition to a new, more compact motor.
The interior design of the Irizar ie bus Efficient has been designed to improve travel experience, and provide more room and luminosity and wider aisles. In addition, it includes an optimised climate control system and a digitalised driver’s area designed to provide an ergonomic and comfortable environment for the driver.
The vehicle meets the most stringent standards in force in the market, guaranteeing maximum safety.
The 12-metre units will have 2 doors, 32 seats and 1 space for a wheelchair or pram, while the 18-metre vehicles will have 3 doors, 46 seats, and 2 wheelchair or pram spaces.
The Irizar ie bus model is already in service in other German cities, like Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Bremen, and Worms, however Cologne will be the first to include the Efficient version in its fleet.
This contract is a milestone and an important step in the positioning of Irizar e-mobility in the German electric mobility market.
The new Irizar ie bus Efficient
True to their commitment to provide sustainable and high-performance solutions, Irizar e-mobility has taken a new step in the evolution of their vehicles with the launch of the new Irizar ie bus, which is now integrated into the Efficient line.
Among the main improvements of the new Irizar ie bus Efficient, the weight reduction thanks to a new structural concept that has made it possible to increase passenger capacity, can be highlighted. Furthermore, a decrease in energy consumption in comparison with the previous generation has been achieved thanks to using a more compact motor, a new generation of more efficient batteries, and a new thermal manager, among other things. Also, 50% more use of recycled source materials has been achieved.
In regards to accessibility, the new model has wider doors and aisles, in addition to optimised passenger flows, which guarantees easier, more comfortable, and more inclusive access for everybody.
The exterior design stands out because of its strong personality, which is inspired by the rest of the brand’s models. Its strong lines, alongside a well-defined frontal aesthetic, reinforce its distinctive character. The side elements are visually integrated using a design that connects the windows, panels, and doors into a single harmonious whole.