(Bern, January 25, 2026) — Passengers and drivers in the Swiss cities of Bern and Schaffhausen are experiencing uncomfortably cold temperatures on new electric buses, prompting concerns about the practicality of the vehicles during winter months. The issue stems from the buses’ energy-efficient heating systems, which prioritize battery range over cabin warmth.
New electric buses in Bern and Schaffhausen are failing to adequately heat cabins in cold weather, impacting passenger and driver comfort.
- New electric buses from Spanish manufacturer Irizar are affected in both cities.
- The buses use heat pumps that can struggle to maintain a comfortable temperature when it’s cold outside.
- Transport companies are implementing software updates and exploring solutions to improve heating without significantly reducing battery range.
A total of 39 of the battery-electric buses, manufactured by Irizar, are in operation – 26 in Bern and the surrounding area and 13 in Schaffhausen, according to reports from SRF. While lauded as modern and climate-friendly, the buses are struggling to meet heating expectations when temperatures approach freezing.
The Challenge of Electric Heating
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The buses utilize heat pumps, which extract heat from the surrounding air, to warm the cabin. These heat pumps require electricity from the battery. Didier Buchmann from Bernmobil explained that when the heat pump reaches its limit, supplemental electric heating is needed, but this reduces the bus’s range. “If a heat pump reaches its limit, you have to heat even more electrically, but that affects the range of the battery,” Buchmann said.
Currently, when the outside temperature is zero degrees Celsius, the buses are intended to be heated to around 15 degrees Celsius, but this target is often not achieved, SRF reports. In Schaffhausen, authorities are attempting to prioritize heating the front of the bus to improve conditions for drivers.
Software Updates Offer Limited Relief
Both Bernmobil and the Schaffhausen transport company state they are working on solutions to the problem. The companies report that initial software updates have brought about slight improvements, but a comprehensive fix remains elusive.
Why It Matters
This situation highlights a key challenge in the transition to electric public transportation: balancing energy efficiency with passenger and operator comfort, particularly in colder climates. The experience in Bern and Schaffhausen demonstrates that simply electrifying a fleet isn’t enough; careful consideration must be given to how auxiliary systems, like heating, are powered and managed to avoid unintended consequences. The issue could influence future procurement decisions and the development of more sophisticated thermal management systems for electric buses.
Time.news based this report in part on reporting by SRF and added independent analysis and context.
