Košice receives first of eleven electric articulated buses

The city of Košice has received the first of eleven SOR NS 18 electric articulated buses. The vehicle, featuring a 200 kW Škoda Electric motor and a 510 kWh traction battery, underwent initial testing by charging via decommissioned trolleybus lines at the KVP housing estate terminal.

Ten additional vehicles are expected to arrive by the third week of September. The entire fleet is being supplied by a Czech consortium consisting of Libchavy and Škoda Electric. These buses will utilize automated pantograph charging at terminal stations, a method designed to mimic trolleybus functionality without the need for overhead wires.

To support this transition, eight charging points have been added to the former trolleybus route in the KVP area, with twelve more planned for the Hornádska street depot. The buses are fully air-conditioned and equipped with camera systems. Following software configuration, trial operations on several lines are expected to begin by the end of September.