Bonn, 16.11.2017. Up to 25,000 guests from all over the world are expected to attend the United Nations Climate Summit (COP23), which is taking place in Bonn until November 17. To ensure fast and environmentally friendly mobility for the participants*, Bonn's public utility company has organized a "Clean Shuttle" under the direction of the Association of German Transport Companies. A special feature: All electric buses run on high-quality green electricity certified with the Green Electricity seal of approval.
"Electromobility is only particularly environmentally friendly if proper green electricity is used. This applies not only to electric vehicles, but also to rail and bus transport," says Dietmar Oeliger, chairman of Grüner Strom Label e.V. and head of transport policy at Naturschutzbund Deutschland (NABU) - one of seven supporting associations of the Grüner Strom seal of approval. "Electric vehicles and trains that run on coal-fired power or are simply painted green with virtual green power certificates do not advance the transport turnaround."
Around 15 electric, hydrogen and hybrid buses are in operation on a total of three newly created routes as part of COP23. The use of the "Clean Shuttle" is free of charge for participants of the climate conference.
SWB Bus und Bahn, the transport company of Stadtwerke Bonn, is one of the pioneers in Germany in the field of alternative drive systems. Six e-buses are already in regular operation as part of the EU-funded ZeEUS (Zero Emission Urban Bus Systems) project.
Stadtwerke Bonn has also been promoting e-mobility in private transport for years, with subsidy programs for the purchase of vehicles, the expansion of the charging infrastructure and the use of e-vehicles in the company fleet - in each case in combination with the use of high-quality green electricity.
Stadtwerke Bonn is also a pioneer in the use and promotion of renewable energies. "We have been using green electricity with Grüner Strom-Label since 2000 in order to offer our customers the highest possible product quality," explains Robert Landen, Sales Manager at SWB Energie und Wasser. The e-buses of the "Clean Shuttle" are operated with electricity from the green electricity tariff "BonnNatur Strom", which is labeled with Grüner Strom-Label. The eco-electricity label of the environmental associations guarantees that the electricity comes 100 percent from renewable energies. In addition, investments are made in the expansion of renewable energies, which makes "BonnNatur Strom" particularly sustainable, unlike many other green electricity tariffs.
SWB Energie und Wasser is currently working on a comprehensive expansion of the charging infrastructure in Bonn. In addition to 25 charging points in public spaces, a number of projects are under construction: in public underground garages, in Bonn businesses and public facilities.
About Grüner Strom Label e.V.
The Grüner Strom Label e.V. certifies green energy products. The association awards two seals of approval for this purpose: the Green Electricity Label for green electricity with added value and the Green Gas Label for environmentally compatible biogas. The association is backed by seven non-profit environmental and consumer associations and peace organizations. The Green Electricity and Green Gas labels are the only quality seals for green electricity and biogas in Germany that are supported by leading environmental associations.
About Stadtwerke Bonn
With around 2300 employees, Stadtwerke Bonn provides fundamental services for more quality of life, economic development and future viability in Bonn and the region. As a municipal company of the city of Bonn, SWB Energie und Wasser ensures the supply of electricity, natural gas, drinking water, district heating and energy services. SWB Bus und Bahn organizes mobility in local public transport with scheduled buses, light rail vehicles and streetcars.
Contact
Stadtwerke Bonn: Werner Schui, 0228 711 2007, editorial office(at)stadtwerke-bonn.de
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