Mellor Sigma electric buses for Kiel
Another cooperation for the DACH region was established in 2022 with the British manufacturer Mellor Bus, part of the Woodall Nicholson Group. Mellor has more than 60 years of expertise in the development and construction of minibuses and midibuses.
As part of this cooperation, three minibuses from Mellor’s battery-electric Sigma family (Sigma 7 model) have now been delivered to Kieler Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH (KVG). KVG already has 67 fully electric standard and articulated vehicles in regular service. The new Mellor minibuses replace the two diesel-powered Sprinter City 65s built in 2012/2013. They operate on Kiel’s lines 5 (Schulensee – Marienlust) and 8 (Wellsee – Waldhof).
The completely low-floor and barrier-free Sigma 7 is very compact with a length of just under seven metres, a height of 3.10 metres and a width of only 2.06 metres (without mirrors). The entirely low-floor vehicle, together with the generous headroom, provides a completely new passenger experience compared to conventional minibuses. As temperatures in the northern German city can often drop below freezing in winter, all vehicles were equipped with Mellor’s adaptations for cold climate regions. This includes the installation of a more powerful HVAC system for the driver and interior, as well as a thermal preconditioning system for the battery to maximise range on colder days.
