Starting October 1, FlixBus launched a regular electric bus service connecting Vienna and Bratislava. The operator deployed eight Yutong T12E battery-electric coaches to cover the 80-kilometre route. The fleet is part of a larger procurement of twelve vehicles by the Austrian partner Blaguss.
Each Yutong T12E bus features a 466 kWh battery, providing a range of approximately 500 kilometres. The service operates with 66 daily trips, linking city centres and airports in both capitals. Charging stations in Vienna and Bratislava utilize photovoltaic systems paired with battery storage.
FlixBus estimates that the electric operation saves around 66 kg of CO₂ per 100 km compared to diesel buses. The project received funding from private investments by Blaguss, as well as public support from Austria and the European NextGenerationEU programme.
This initiative marks a shift from previous pilot projects conducted in Germany, Portugal, the UK, and the USA. Unlike earlier trials, the Vienna–Bratislava route is designed for continuous, high-frequency scheduled service, leveraging the route's short distance and flat profile.
