Climate technology close to home
Esslingen is gradually transitioning its public transport system to locally emission-free mobility. Eberspächer technology is playing a part in this: The 52 new battery trolleybuses from the Škoda Group are equipped with the AC135-230 roof-mounted air-conditioning system. The first two vehicles have already been officially handed over to the municipal transport operator Städtischer Verkehrsbetrieb Esslingen.
23 September 2026 – For Eberspächer, the project is a home game: The new battery trolleybuses will operate on regular routes in the city of Esslingen, just a few kilometers from the company’s headquarters. In July, Mayor Matthias Klopfer, representatives of the Škoda Group and Städtischer Verkehrsbetrieb Esslingen am Neckar (SVE), together with guests from politics and business, presented the first two vehicles.
The 52 new buses are part of the “100% Electric Mobility in Public Transport” project. By the end of 2026, Esslingen aims to operate its entire public transport system with zero local emissions. The city benefits from a special advantage: Esslingen is one of only three municipalities in Germany with an existing trolleybus overhead line network.
STRONG TIES TO ESSLINGEN
The vehicles combine two drive concepts. On routes equipped with overhead lines, they draw their energy directly from the catenary. At the same time, they are equipped with a battery, allowing them to travel up to 25 kilometers without recharging. The fleet includes both 12-meter solo buses and 18-meter articulated buses.
“The fact that our climate technology is now being used in the public transport system of our home city is particularly significant for us. Eberspächer has been closely connected to Esslingen for more than 160 years,” says Jörg Steins, CEO of the Eberspächer Group.
Esslingen Mayor Matthias Klopfer (left) and Jörg Steins, CEO of the Eberspächer Group (right).
COMPACT SOLUTION FOR LIMITED INSTALLATION SPACE
The available installation space is particularly limited in trolleybuses, as various technical components need to be accommodated on the roof. The Eberspächer AC135-230 air-conditioning system therefore features a flat and compact design. A separately mounted electric compressor makes integration into the vehicle concept easier. With 30 kW of cooling and 35 kW of heating capacity, the system ensures comfortable temperatures on board throughout the year.
Following the handover of the first two buses in July, Škoda has now delivered a total of twelve vehicles to Städtischer Verkehrsbetrieb Esslingen. SVE is currently using them for test drives. The first buses are scheduled to enter regular service from mid-October.
