Press Release – Seefeld Goes Electric

In the last one and a half months, only electric-powered public transport has been operating in the Seefeld region. After an intensive testing phase, it can now be stated: There will be no more public transport using combustion engines in Tyrol's high plateau.

When all 13 diesel buses were replaced with electrically powered models on July 1, 2026, there were not only cheers of joy heard on the Plateau. Would the range be sufficient for the partly long and steep routes? Is there enough power to maneuver a full bus up from Telfs? And can the battery withstand both the hot and cold days? At the joint press conference on September 10, 2026, a positive conclusion could be drawn, and open questions could be answered with confidence.

Mobility State Councillor René Zumtobel described the project as a showcase example for other regions in Tyrol that wish to follow suit in the future: "The entire region is now decarbonized regarding public transport. In these times, this is a lighthouse that will shine far beyond the region."

VVT Managing Director Alexander Jug sees this step as the "next major milestone" after the complete overhaul of the bus system between 2022 and 2023. At that time, the public transport offering was expanded by 76% and adjusted to the train connection from Innsbruck. The figures show that this has resulted in a significant improvement in usage: Since 2022, the number of public transport season ticket holders on the plateau has increased from 1,200 to around 2,000. According to Jug, there was also a further increase in users during the test phase of the e-buses.

TVB Managing Director Elias Walser sees great benefits not only for guests but especially for locals and employees. "The bus runs regularly, from Monday to Sunday, from early to late, 365 days a year. This works only if everyone is on board." Together with all the plateau municipalities, VVT and the state of Tyrol, the buses in Seefeld are now: twice as quiet as before, free from emissions and significantly cheaper to operate.

The switch to electric is expected to save 233,000 euros in fuel costs annually. According to VVT, energy costs will decrease by around 62 percent. However, since electric mobility is still more expensive to acquire than the diesel variant, 80% of the additional costs were covered by federal funding. Additionally, 40 percent of the investments in the charging infrastructure were subsidized.

SAD-Austria Managing Director Joachim Toppler provided reassuring answers regarding the question marks surrounding range and reliability. "The test phase went smoothly. The emergency diesel bus was also never needed and is now in use elsewhere." Toppler and his drivers did not reach the limits of the vehicles even on the hottest days of the year. They are also confident for the cold winter days.

Fun Fact: Seefeld has always been a pioneer in e-mobility. The Karwendelbahn from Innsbruck to the plateau has been operating electrically since its opening in 1912. This makes it one of the first electrified railways in Tyrol and Austria.