MAN and ÖBB Postbus Expand Electric Bus Fleet in Vorarlberg

MAN Truck & Bus reports the delivery of 63 MAN Lion’s City E buses to ÖBB Postbus in Vorarlberg, supporting Austria’s largest regional electric bus fleet.

Austria has seen its largest single order of electric buses to date brought into service, as ÖBB Postbus deploys 63 fully electric MAN Lion’s City E buses in the federal state of Vorarlberg. The delivery has been completed, and the vehicles are now operating on regional routes, further strengthening Vorarlberg’s position as Austria’s frontrunner in emission-free bus transport.

The order comprises 27 MAN Lion’s City 12 E solo buses and 36 MAN Lion’s City 18 E articulated buses. This mix allows the operator to cover a wide range of operational needs, from standard regional services to heavily used routes with high passenger volumes. According to the manufacturer and operator, the electric buses are designed for intensive daily use and offer ranges of up to 350 kilometres.

Vorarlberg already stands out nationwide: around every third bus in the region is electric. Approximately 100 electric buses are currently in regular service, with more than half operated by ÖBB Postbus. Plans call for the fleet to grow to 141 vehicles by spring 2026, while the longer-term objective is to reach 200 electric buses by 2030. These figures point to a structured and long-term transition strategy rather than isolated pilot projects.

A decisive factor behind this expansion is the charging infrastructure. Across Vorarlberg, 144 charging points for electric buses have been installed, including 75 at ÖBB Postbus depots in Wolfurt, Bludenz and Feldkirch. The infrastructure is installed and operated by energy provider illwerke vkw. Following extensive upgrades, the ÖBB Postbus depot in Wolfurt has become the largest charging hub for electric buses in Austria, providing the technical backbone for further fleet growth.

The MAN Lion’s City E buses feature low-floor designs, modern driver assistance systems and solutions aimed at fast and efficient passenger exchange. MAN Truck & Bus describes electromobility as a central pillar of its strategy for alternative drivetrains, with Austria playing an important role in the broader rollout of electric bus technology.

Taken together, the deployment of 63 electric buses, the rapid build-out of charging infrastructure and clearly defined growth targets underline Vorarlberg’s ambition to establish a sustainable, emission-free public transport system. Given the share of electric buses already in operation and the pace of expansion, the region is likely to remain a reference point for electric bus adoption in Austria over the coming years.