The first Hungarian-made articulated electric bus, the Credobus Electronell 18, unveiled

Following the spy photos leaked in mid-November, the Kravtex-Kühne Group, with its factories in Győr and Mosonmagyaróvár, officially unveiled its brand-new, all-electric urban-suburban articulated bus, the Credobus Electronell 18, to the public this morning. This event marks a significant milestone for the Hungarian vehicle industry. It is the first Hungarian-developed and manufactured articulated electric bus to hit the market, 64 years after the appearance of the first homemade articulated buses by the former Budapest Bus Depot (FAÜ) in the 1960s. We were present at the press event held at Budapest’s Népliget bus station, organized jointly with Volánbusz, the main prospective buyer.

In recent years, the Hungarian market for articulated buses has been dominated by foreign models. However, domestic deliveries in this sector resumed last year. The industry has a long way to climb back, as Hungary was once a global leader in the production and sale of articulated buses during the Ikarus era. In recent times, there were years when no local companies offered such vehicles. With the introduction of the Credobus Econell 18 Next in October 2021, the Kravtex-Kühne Group, currently the largest Hungarian bus manufacturer, brought this crucial category back into the domestic lineup. Now, with the launch of electric propulsion, there is an opportunity to purchase Hungarian-made products once again. As Dr. István Krankovics, Managing Director of Kravtex Kft., stated at the press conference, this event is so significant that it writes them into the history of Hungarian vehicle manufacturing. He also noted that they are prepared for the mass production of electric buses, which will directly help preserve about 500 Hungarian jobs and provide orders for 100 local suppliers.

The Electronell 18’s overall dimensions are almost identical to its diesel-powered counterpart: it measures 18,170 mm in length and 2,550 mm in width, with the same wheelbases (A-B: 5,550 mm, B-C: 6,670 mm) and front (2,570 mm) and rear overhangs (3,380 mm). The only difference is the height, which is 3,300 mm including the rooftop air conditioning unit. The exterior design, aside from a few minor details, closely resembles the Econell Next series, featuring a wrap-around roof fairing that conceals rooftop mechanical units and integrates with the front and rear plastic panels. In addition to electric drive-related signage, there is a higher engine bay door compared to the internal combustion versions, providing access to the high-voltage inverter and distribution system.

The newly unveiled suburban version, specified according to the M3/II vehicle class standard, features 51 seats, with the standing capacity still under calculation. The first unit has a 2-2-2-2 door arrangement (at least based on the door wings; the fourth door’s dual boarding lane remains uncertain visually), with an interior layout suitable for both urban and suburban use, according to the manufacturer. Continuing the Econell family’s tradition, the Electronell 18 is a low-entry design, a rarity among articulated buses in Europe, featuring 19.5″ “small wheeled” axles that make it unique worldwide. The low-floor section extends to the third passenger door, with two modest steps leading to the rear section. Thanks to the low-positioned drivetrain, aside from a short section following the steps, the floor level remains flat at 800 mm above ground throughout the rear passenger area, providing full-size, level standing spaces. The rearmost seat row spans the full width, with three double seats instead of five individual ones, which is somewhat unusual.

The smaller wheel size results in lower wheel arches, eliminating unused spaces between seatbacks and reducing the height of surrounding platforms. Regarding platforms, while they will remain even in urban configurations, the bus features a relatively high number of floor-level seats—16 in the prototype—that are accessible without steps.

The Electronell models, developed through a research and development project worth more than 1.5 billion forints, were independently designed by Credobus without a general partner, with key systems integration and software development carried out in Hungary. The currently two-member vehicle family features a high-voltage distribution system (with the Credobus HVBOX unit in the former engine bay), drive control software, and auxiliary passive cooling system, all developed by Credobus. The group also produces the lightweight self-supporting frame and almost all metal parts, including some axle components. The independent front suspension wheel hub is a product of Rába, as is the complete rear axle, with the former labeled A-605 and the latter A-309 in the manufacturer’s catalog. For the free B-axle, the axle housing is manufactured by Kühne Zrt. in Mosonmagyaróvár, with wheel hubs also sourced from Rába’s Győr plant.

According to Credobus representatives, nearly 100 Hungarian small and medium-sized enterprises supply components for their electric buses. Additionally, major domestic companies like Rába, Knorr-Bremse, Metal 99, OROSházaGLAS, Hirschler Üvegipari Vállalkozás, König, Graboplast, and Semperform provide parts for the vehicles.

The Electronell 18, like other Credobus products, continues to feature a high level of Hungarian added value. However, due to the electric drivetrain and traction batteries, the import content is somewhat higher than in internal combustion models. The imported components mostly come from European suppliers. Similar to the Electronell 12, also introduced this year, the bus is powered by third-generation liquid-cooled lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt-oxide (NMC) traction batteries from Akasol, owned by BorgWarner. These batteries are used in leading European bus manufacturers’ models, such as the current version of the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro series. Four units are installed in the articulated model, providing a total capacity of 392 kWh. While this is numerically below the category average—about 25% less battery capacity than competing models—the significantly lower weight still allows for the manufacturer-specified optimal range of 300 kilometers. The depleted battery pack can be fully recharged in just over 3 hours using a CCS Combo 2 plug-in connector at 150 kW.

To achieve a low center of gravity and good cornering stability, two battery modules are placed under the floor in the former engine bay. The remaining two modules are located on the roof, positioned before and after the articulation for better weight distribution, ensuring optimal loading of the B- and C-axles. The total weight of the installed batteries is 2,240 kg. The Electronell’s planned curb weight is around 16,000 kg, significantly lighter than the typical 20-21 tons for similar electric buses, making it the lightest steel-framed articulated electric bus on the market, promising efficient and economical operation.

It was previously known that the Electronell solo and articulated versions share the same drivetrain components, so it is unsurprising that the new model is also powered by the Voith VEDS system’s most powerful (heavy duty, HD) central synchronous electric motor, offering 310 kW continuous and 410 kW peak power. The drive system achieves a maximum efficiency of 97.3%. The heat pump air conditioning unit, electric heater, and auxiliary diesel heater are all manufactured by Eberspächer. Among the auxiliary systems, the electrohydraulic power steering pump is supplied by DANA, and the electric-driven compressor by Knorr-Bremse. The Electronell complies with the European Union’s revised General Safety Regulation (GSR II) requirements, thanks to its radar and camera-based advanced driver assistance and active safety systems from ZF.

While press conference attendees could take a short test ride with the new model, the Electronell series is expected to enter passenger service in test mode by February 2025 on MÁV-Volán Group routes, likely in the Budapest metropolitan area, preceded by potential trial runs around Győr.

At the December 18 press event, Dr. Loránd Bói, Deputy State Secretary for Transport Strategy at the Ministry of Construction and Transport, stated: “The Ministry of Construction and Transport’s primary goal is to develop the vehicle fleet participating in intercity public services. Since 2018, we have reduced the average age of the Volánbusz fleet from 13 to nearly 10 years. The Kravtex-Kühne Group has played a key role in this achievement, as nearly half of the fleet now comes from this manufacturer. In the coming period, hundreds of additional new vehicles will be added to the MÁV Group annually, as the provider selected for a 10-year term in the ongoing tender process must maintain a low average vehicle age. Volánbusz has extensive experience operating electric buses, and the newly introduced bus type can actively participate in this process. Moreover, not only e-buses but also low-consumption, low-emission modern traditional vehicles will contribute to reducing emissions by thousands of tons while further improving service quality.”

Dr. István Krankovics, Managing Director of Kravtex Kft., emphasized: “The Electronell 18 made history as the first Hungarian articulated electric bus. The introduction of electric Credobus models is the result of several years of work by highly talented Hungarian bus development engineers. The more than 1.5 billion forint R&D project was realized with only 400 million forints of support. The development and manufacturing of the Electronell are taking place in Hungary, including the control systems and software, which represent the highest added value. We are convinced that such products are needed for Hungary to emerge as a winner in the vehicle industry electrification. The Kravtex-Kühne Group, which has produced over 3,000 buses and is the market leader in Hungary, is ready to participate in the electrification of public transportation in Hungary.”

Dr. László Kormányos, Deputy CEO for Technical and Operations at MÁV-Start Zrt. and Volánbusz Zrt., added: “In 2022 and 2023, 100 electric vehicles were added to the Volánbusz fleet in the Budapest metropolitan area and six county seats, with another 20 new e-buses planned for 2025 in six smaller towns. Locally manufactured e-buses have been successfully greening our fleet, and we successfully tested the Credobus Electronell solo model in Győr this June. Therefore, we have every reason to hope that the Kravtex-Kühne Group’s electric buses will actively contribute to creating sustainable public transportation in the near future.”