First battery electric bus test in Oslo and Akershus are under preparation

Ruter is in the process of developing the first battery electric bus test, as part of the project Fossil Free 2020. The aim is to test on existing lines and to get started as soon as possible.

Public transport in Oslo and Akershus will run on only renewable energy from 2020. This implies a large share of electric buses in 2025. The rollout of battery electric buses will begin in 2020. Until then Ruter will test battery electric buses.

Different types of tests

We are planning several different types of tests.

The first type of test is now under preparation. Ruter have invited the current operators, which are Nettbuss, Nobina, Norgesbuss and Unibuss, to discuss how tests can be realized within existing contracts. This will be tests of a smaller scale, which can start up relatively quickly.

With this type of test, Ruter wants to give the operators room for innovation and to try out new concepts. We would also like to see the response from the market.There will be reporting requirements from these tests, in order for Ruter and future operators to learn from these tests before future pubic tenders on electric buses.

Agreement on tests this year

The aim is to reach an agreement during the month of December.
Other types of tests will be realized through public tenders at a later stage.