Electric power into the future - e-buses at Postbus
ÖBB-Postbus is the largest bus company in Austria. With this in mind, we are always working towards providing innovative solutions to questions of public mobility. With children making up the largest part of our passengers, we attach particular importance to taking responsibility for future generations. In the interest of climate protection, Postbus is increasingly focusing on alternative drive technologies as a means of contributing to cutting CO2 emissions in Austria.
Battery powered e-buses have advantages for passenger and the environment
In terms of drive technologies, buses with battery-powered electric motors are a possible alternative to those with diesel engines. Buses using this technology are charged overnight and their current range means that they can be used for scheduled daytime services on a single charge without any issues. When compared to diesel buses, each 12-metre e-bus saves more than 110 tonnes of CO2 per year. But the e-drive not only avoids pollutants such as particulates, nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxides, it is significantly quieter, too. The result: in addition to an environmentally friendly journey, passengers, drivers and people living along bus routes are less affected by noise. There is another advantage with the braking system: the electric motors act as generators while braking and are able to feed energy back to the batteries.
Entering the e-bus era together
We are working together with transport associations, federal states, and municipalities to pave the way for future technologies in bus transport. The transition from diesel engines to alternative drive systems requires strong partnerships on the one hand and start-up financing on the other. ÖBB Postbus is always ready to implement projects and future models.
Our e-buses in operation
Southern Weinviertel region opts for electric buses
Together with the Lower Austrian Transport Organization (NÖVOG), we are taking an innovative approach and will be putting eleven climate-friendly e-buses on the road in the southern Weinviertel region in summer 2022. This will be the first regional bus system in Lower Austria to be operated with e-buses. The buses are proof that e-mobility is not just a topic for cities.
E-buses roll through the Salzburg region
The use of e-buses in the federal state is also continuing to grow: six e-vehicles are currently in operation in Saalfelden's urban transport system on behalf of the Salzburg Transport Association - three 12-meter buses since December 2025 and three 9-meter buses since December 2024. Bad Hofgastein is also focusing on CO2-neutral city transport with a 10.5-meter electric bus, which will go into service in March/April 2026. The fleet will be supplemented by a 7-meter electric bus in St. Johann im Pongau city transport, which has been in service since 2022. In April, an 18-meter electric articulated bus will also be used in test operation around the Kitzsteinhorn for two weeks.
More electric mobility in Tyrolean public transport
Electric mobility is also gaining momentum in regional bus transport in Tyrol. In the Landeck area, three e-buses are already in regular service on behalf of the transport association and have been sending a strong signal for low-emission mobility in the region since 2024. Another highlight is the Crystal Worlds Shuttle, which has been fully electric since summer 2025 and connects Innsbruck Central Station directly with the Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens five times a day. From May 2026, three new electric buses will also go into service in Kitzbühel on behalf of the transport association, sustainably expanding the regional offering.
Vorarlberg focuses on e-mobility for buses
For years, the Vorarlberg Transport Association has been working with ÖBB Postbus to promote the use of electric intercity buses in regular service. In February 2020, the first four e-buses went into regular service. This marked the start of even more environmentally friendly mobility in Vorarlberg. By the beginning of 2026, one in three buses will be electric. Around 100 e-buses are currently in use. By May 2026, the e-bus fleet will grow to 141. More than half of these are operated by ÖBB Postbus. The central hub for bus operations is the Postbus site in Wolfurt, which has been expanded into Austria's largest electric bus garage. The electric buses used have a range of up to 300 kilometers. This makes them suitable for both urban and regional routes.
The e-buses, which are powered by green electricity, are true climate heroes. Each of the buses saves around 90% of CO₂ over its lifetime compared to a conventional diesel bus. A big plus for climate protection and transport in Vorarlberg!
Electric city bus in Wolfsberg: a quiet ride with zero emissions
The municipality of Wolfsberg has also been playing a pioneering role in Carinthia since June 2020, when the city became home to a Postbus electric city bus. With this vehicle, Wolfsberg and Postbus are together leading the way when it comes to emissions-free and quiet city traffic and thus climate protection.