Heading towards decarbonization
Fleet transformation
In 2023, we committed to the Science Based Targets initiative to set near-term science-based emission reduction targets as the first crucial step towards full decarbonization.
The current targets, validated in April 2024, include a 54.6% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and 2, and a 40.9% reduction in Scope 3 emission intensity, both to be achieved by 2032 (with 2019 as a base year).
In this process, fleet transformation is going to play a key part.
Over the years, Flix has been engaging in a diverse range of pilots, to explore the potential of these solutions with a view to its long-term decarbonization goal.
Timeline
Our pilots: to 2024 and beyond
2013
Fuel-efficient diesel engine
First FlixBuses hitting the road in Germany, equipped with a fuel-efficient diesel engine.
A modern fleet of long-distance coaches, to provide passengers with a more sustainable alternative to individual mobility.
Our journey begins!
2018
Battery electric coaches
The world’s first battery electric long-distance coaches, launched in France and Germany. The French coach ran on the 130 km Paris-Amiens route. The German coach, powered with 100% clean energy supplied by Greenpeace Energy, ran between Frankfurt and Mannheim.
Reduction of 100% CO2 on this route in Germany
2020
Coach with solar panels
The world’s first long-distance coach with solar panels, operating on the Eindhoven-Paris route. Innovative technology from our partner Trailar supporting charging the onboard battery and reducing fuel consumption as a result.
First solar panel system added to the fleet
2021
Biogas-powered coaches
The EU’s first biogas-powered long-distance coaches, launched in the Benelux region, in cooperation with IVECO, running between Amsterdam and Brussels, and in Scandinavia, in cooperation with Scania, running between Oslo and Stockholm.
Reduction of 75% CO₂ on average compared to diesel operations on the same routes
2022
New coaches with solar panels
More coaches equipped with solar panels running in Spain (3), in partnership with Trailar, and in the DACH region (2), Italy (2) and the US (2), in partnership with Green Energy.
Expanded pilot with 9 more solar panel system added to the fleet
Biofuel coaches
Two biodiesel coaches in France running on the Brest-Grenoble line, using rapeseed biofuel Oleo100.
Reduction of 60% CO2 and up to 80% fine particle emissions on average compared to diesel operations on the same routes
2024
New battery electric coaches
A pilot project for England’s first 100% electric long-distance coach service, running between London, Bristol, and Newport (South Wales), in cooperation with operator partner Newport Transport.
Reduction of 352 kg CO2 per day compared to diesel operations on the same routes
New biofuel coaches
A new fleet of 17 coaches running on HVO100 biofuel running on around 10 FlixBus routes in France.
Reduction of at least 70% CO2 and 65% fine particle emissions compared to diesel operations on the same routes
First battery electric coaches in Chile
Three 100% electric coaches running in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications of Chile and the Santiago Metro, aimed at establishing a low-emissions electric travel corridor in the region.
First pilot project conducted in South America within the wider fleet transformation framework
More coaches using HVO on the road
10 coaches fueled by HVO are launched in Italy as part of a pilot project involving five national lines across the country and using HVOlution provided by Enilive.
Reduction of up to -90% CO2 along the entire production cycle compared to reference fossil fuel
Second battery electric coach in the UK
A new battery electric coach pilot is launched on British roads between London and Cambridge, with energy supplied by Zenobē.
-100% CO2 at Tank-to-wheel level
Battery electric coach in Portugal
A 100% battery electric coach is employed between Lisbon and Porto, scheduled to run twice a day for seven days a week, with energy supplied by EDP.
-100% CO2 at Tank-to-wheel level
Future
Reference fleet with biogas technologies
A reference fleet of coaches to be equipped with Bio-LNG technologies in cooperation with Scania, with the aim of progressively enhancing use of biogas in long-distance coach transport.
Fuel cell project “HyFleet”
Development of a fuel-cell technology perfectly tailored to long-distance coaches with better efficiency, in cooperation with Freudenberg Fuel Cell e-Power Systems and ZF Friedrichshafen AG.
Battery electric project "ELCH“
Development of a technology suitable for long-range battery electric coaches, in cooperation with Daimler Buses.
A more sustainable alternative to private cars and planes
Our Carbon Footprint
While we aim for net-zero emissions in the future, we can help people reduce their environmental footprint today.
For example, the emission factor for FlixBus in Europe is 27.8g CO2 per person/km, which is up to five times less than a private car and nine times less than a plane.
Taking into consideration all Flix services combined, our passengers are estimated to have avoided over 1 million tonnes of CO2 emissions in 2023 alone, just by traveling by Flix coach or train instead of other modes of transport (based on the results of our Post Ride Survey).
To know more on the methodology used to quantify emissions benefit of collective travel, please refer to Flix’s 2023 Avoided Emissions reporting criteria.
