The procurement of new electric buses is only made possible by the provision of funding that covers a significant portion of the additional costs compared to diesel bus models. In addition to

, regional state funding also plays an important role.

Thanks to the provision of funding, Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe (DVB) has been able to order a total of 18 new electric buses. This is made possible by effective cooperation between the Saxon Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development (SMIL), the state capital Dresden and the DVB. With the new vehicles, the electric bus fleet will grow to 38, which corresponds to a good quarter of the entire DVB bus fleet.

Since summer 2025, the DVB has held a grant notification from the Free State of Saxony for the purchase of modern articulated electric buses. Due to the DVB’s strict austerity measures, only just over 3.5 million euros of its own funds have been raised so far. This covers the cost of six buses, which have already been ordered following a Europe-wide tender. Following discussions with the City of Dresden and DVB, officials at the Saxon Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport have now made additional funds available. This payment enables DVB to order a further 12 electric buses.

Further Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G models will be procured, of which DVB has already had 18 in its fleet since 2022. In addition, there are two 12-metre-long eCitaro. We last reported

. The articulated buses are 18.12 metres long, offer 37 seats and 104 standing places, and are powered by four electric motors, each with a peak output of 125 kW and a continuous output of 87 kW. The NMC batteries have a total gross storage capacity of 330 kWh. They are charged at the terminus via a pantograph mounted on the bus roof at a power of up to 300 kW, and additionally at 150 kW overnight in the depot

With these 18 additional electric buses, DVB is replacing older diesel vehicles that urgently need to be taken out of service due to their age or a mileage of over one million kilometres, and whose condition does not permit economically viable refurbishment and continued operation. Delivery of the new electric buses is scheduled to begin at the end of 2026. In addition to route 68, which has already been converted, there are plans to deploy the electric buses on route 61 as well. To this end, the existing charging infrastructure at the DVB bus depot in Gruna must be upgraded and further terminus points, such as Gröbelstraße in Löbtau, must be equipped with recharging stations. Planning for this is currently underway. The costs of the charging infrastructure are eligible for funding, too.