Politicians in Region Värmland made a major investment in electric buses in Karlstad, but the launch has not gone as planned. During the winter, Värmlandstrafik discovered that the buses were “consuming too much electricity,” which reduced their range and made it impossible for the vehicles to complete their routes. As a result, they have been forced to deploy “substitute buses” to meet demand. The initiative is being led by red-green politicians who want Karlstad to be at the forefront of the fight for a “lower climate footprint.”
In a segment on public television, Mathias Lindgren, head of urban traffic, explains that the new electric buses “consume a bit more electricity than Nobina expected.”
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The problem is especially evident on cold days and has affected winter traffic, as the electric buses cannot travel as far as planned. Lindgren defends the planning, saying it was based on figures from the bus supplier, but those numbers have now proven to be inaccurate during the winter.
“We have not operated this type of bus in Karlstad before,” says Mathias Lindgren to public television, in response to how they could know that the buses’ range would decrease during wintertime.
Now, Värmlandstrafik and Nobina have held meetings with the bus manufacturer MAN to find a “sustainable solution” to the electric buses’ winter problems. At the same time, they have had to introduce other buses to keep public transport running in Värmland.
On social media, Värmlandstrafik has announced that they have deployed “substitute buses.”
“Thank you for your understanding,” says Värmlandstrafik.
Left Party Politician Promoted the Investment: “Climate Footprint”
One of the red-green politicians responsible for the initiative is Left Party member Elisabeth Björk, chair of the Public Transport Committee in Region Värmland.
Although it is well known that electric vehicles can have reduced range in winter conditions, she emphasized that the investment is important for lowering the climate footprint.
“It is important that we continue to develop public transport in line with new technologies and possibilities. With electric buses, we get both modern vehicles and a lower climate footprint—something our passengers demand and which fits perfectly with our goals,” said Elisabeth Björk (V) in a press release at the launch.
READ ALSO: Municipality invested heavily in electric buses – now winter routes are canceled