Moscow begins testing a new medium-class electric bus on its lines

The "E-Citymax 9" bus, produced by the Pavlovsk Bus Plant, arrived at the operating platform of "Mosgortrans" in Ostankino, before setting off on the streets of the city to work on line No. 286 between "Yauza Station" and "Akademik Lyolka Square", transporting passengers in actual operating conditions.

The "e-Citymax 9" belongs to the "Citymax 9" family, which includes different versions in terms of power units, and the electric version represents the latest stage of its development. The bus is about 9 meters long and can accommodate more than 70 passengers, including 21 seats, and its travel range reaches 80 kilometers without recharging.

The lower floor area is 11 square metres, which is a record for medium-class electric buses. The cabin also includes two spacious standing areas, which facilitates the transport of children’s strollers, bicycles and large luggage, and makes boarding and disembarking easier on high-density lines.

The bus was equipped with a foldable ramp and driver call buttons for people with special needs, in addition to USB ports for charging devices, screens displaying information about the route and nearby stations, and a modern climate control system.

Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry, Maxim Liksutov, said: “We continue to develop ground electric transport in the capital, as commissioned by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. A medium-class electric bus is currently being tested on line 286. Over the course of 9 months, Mosgortrans specialists will check the operation of the innovative vehicle in different weather and traffic conditions. Based on the results of the tests, we will make a decision on purchasing new vehicles for operation on the lines.”

The test allows the bus's performance to be evaluated in real traffic conditions, in preparation for making a decision on the possibility of purchasing medium-class electric buses and operating them on regular routes in the capital.

The bus test comes within the framework of the development of the "Citymax" family produced by the Pavlovsk Bus Plant, which was previously presented in versions equipped with traditional and alternative power units, while the electric version represents the latest trend in its development.

Moscow continues to test innovative solutions for electric transportation in actual operating conditions, in parallel with the development of an integrated system that includes vehicles of different capacities, charging infrastructure, and modern service centers, linking the modernization of urban transportation to supporting the Russian transportation industry.