Sustainability at
Dr. Richard
The bus is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to travel. By traveling with Dr. Richard, you’re helping to protect the environment, too!
Dr. Richard is investing in alternative propulsion technologies, photovoltaics, and measures to reduce operational emissions
Environmental protection plays a central role in our corporate efforts:
- The Dr. Richard Group is the first bus company in Austria to put electric coaches into service. The Dr. Richard Group has three electric coaches that are used for day trips, city tours, and shuttle services. The new electric coaches are primarily charged at the Dr. Richard Group’s in-house charging stations in Vienna and Salzburg. Their launch marks another milestone for comfortable and locally emission-free passenger transport.
- In public transport, our electric buses are already in operation. In Salzburg, two-thirds of the Albus bus fleet has already been electrified. To achieve this a pioneering project was implemented in 2025 on the premises of the subsidiary Albus Salzburg: an innovative 4,270 m² solar power for the e-bus fleet. In St. Pölten, the complete transition of all Dr. Richard LUP routes to electric buses will begin later this year. In the coming years, the proportion of zero-emission vehicles across the entire Dr. Richard Group will be significantly expanded.
Buses produce fewer CO2 emissions while in operation and are one of the most environmentally friendly means of transport
Compared to most other forms of transport, buses are cleaner and more climate-friendly. They clearly outperform private vehicles, as a single bus can carry many more passengers, significantly reducing per-person emissions. This positive impact is clearly illustrated in the chart below, based on data from the Austrian Environment Agency.
Status: May 2025
Environmentally friendly coaches
First electric coaches in Vienna and Salzburg
The Dr. Richard Group has expanded its range of modern, zero-emission mobility options and is putting electric coaches into service for the first time. The Dr. Richard Group has electric coaches that are used for day trips, city tours, and shuttle services. Each coach can transport 50 passengers with zero emissions and has a range of up to 450 km. The new electric coaches are primarily charged at the company’s own charging stations in Vienna and Salzburg.
‘klimaaktiv mobil’ award for electric coaches
The Dr. Richard Group was recognised by the Federal Ministry as a ‘klimaaktiv mobil’ project partner for the roll-out of the first electric coaches. This makes the Dr. Richard Group one of the leading companies and a prime example of best practice in innovative and environmentally friendly mobility solutions. By introducing its first electric coaches, the Dr. Richard Group is reducing its CO₂ emissions by around 152.7 tons per year. This investment underlines the Group’s unwavering commitment to sustainable mobility and our contribution to reducing operational emissions.
Euro 6 emission standards, H7 & smart fleet management
For many years, Dr. Richard has been focusing on low-emission coaches, which are exclusively equippped with engines of the Euro 6 class, the most environmentlly advanced emission standard currently available. In addition, we have converted all Dr. Richard Group fueling stations, with the exception of the one in Salzburg, to H7. H7, also known as ECO7, is more environmentally friendly than conventional diesel due to its 7% HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) content. We also focus on reducing empty mileage, a critical sustainability factor in the coach transport sector. Through intelligent scheduling and coordinated fleet management across Vienna, Salzburg, Burgenland, Styria, and Carinthia, we efficiently minimize nonrevenue trips and help conserve natural resources.
Environmentally friendly urban buses
Alternative propulsion systems
In close collaboration with industry experts, we are actively advancing the future of public transportation. Through targeted pilot programs, we acquire critical operational insights into cutting-edge, low-emission propulsion systems. The Dr. Richard Group has been testing battery-powered electric buses since 2017. The test operation of a hydrogen-powered fuel cell bus was successfully implemented in 2020. By systematically sharing our findings with vehicle manufacturers, we play a pivotal role as a bus operator in fostering the development and refinement of alternative propulsion technologies.
Electric buses in regular operation in Salzburg
Under the initiative #AlbusDrivesElectric, our subsidiary Albus Salzburg currently operates a fleet of 58 electric buses in regular service. This exemplifies the deployment of tomorrow’s propulsion technology, already in active use today. One of the vehicles is equipped with a 480 kW battery, providing an impressive range of 370 kilometers on a single charge. This marks a significant milestone in the advancement of public e-mobility. Thanks to the all-electric powertrain, there are no pollutant emissions and no CO2 emissions during operation – in other word, ‘zero emissions’. The Albus Salzburg bus fleet is to be to expanded to 80 electric buses by the end of 2028.
Award-winning flagship initiative: photovoltaic system to supply the electric bus fleet with solar power
In 2025, the Dr. Richard Group launched a groundbreaking flagship project at the Albus Salzburg operational facility, setting a new benchmark for the Austrian bus industry. A newly constructed rooftop spanning 4,270 m² (77 m x 55 m) was outfitted with a state-of-the-art photovoltaic system with a capacity of 940 kWp. Combined with the existing solar installation, the total peak output exceeds 1.4 MW. The energy produced is dedicated to powering the electric bus fleet, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable mobility.
The project with the title “Soak up the sun for tomorrow – photovoltaics as a power source for emission-free public transport” has already been awarded the VCÖ Mobility Prize Salzburg in the category “Energy and resource conservation, circular economy”.
LISA e-shuttle in Lower Austria
Electric mobility is also a top priority for Dr. Richard in Lower Austria. There, we operate the innovative LISA. E-Shuttle on-demand taxi system in Tulln with an all-electric fleet. Passengers can conveniently request shuttle buses via an app or by phone, which take them to predetermined stops. The LISA. E-Shuttle offers the opportunity to travel comfortably and emission-free throughout Tulln – without needing your own car! This has made it possible to create a successful mobility alternative in Tulln for the so-called ‘last mile’.
Vienna sightseeing fully embraces e-mobility
Since May 2025, the entire HOP ON HOP OFF fleet of Vienna Sightseeing Tours has been operating with 100% electric vehicles. As a shareholder of Vienna Sightseeing Tours, the specialist in city tours in and around Vienna, Dr. Richard is proud to mark another milestone towards environmentally friendly mobility. This transition significantly reduces noise pollution and improves air quality, especially in heavily trafficked districts such as Vienna’s city center and represents a crucial step toward the city’s goal of zero-emission mobility. With the new fleet, Vienna Sightseeing achieves annual CO₂ savings of approximately 666 tonnes, averaging 39 tonnes per bus.
Awards in Carinthia
In 2025 the micro BUS:SI, developed by Dr. Richard Group in Villach was recognized as an exemplary project as part of the VCÖ Carinthia Mobility Prize. The minibuses complement the existing route network, have space for eight people and are particularly barrier-free.
Previously, Dr. Richard Kärnten is happy about an award. Together with the municipality of Villach, Dr. Richard relaunched the Villach Citybus in Carinthia. In the period from 2020 to 2022, the city bus route was served by an electric bus that had space for 33 people, had a ramp for wheelchair users and people with walking disabilities, and was available to passengers free of charge. For this pioneering project, together with the municipality of Villach, we were recognized as a klimaaktiv mobil project partner.
Resource-efficient driving
Conserving resources also means adopting a fuel-efficient driving style. Every year, some of our drivers complete training courses to practice eco-driving. Eco-driving – that is, anticipatory driving, driving at low revs, and constantly checking and adjusting settings, such as those of the air conditioning system – can reduce CO2 emissions and environmentally harmful tire wear.
We take responsibility
Would you like to learn more about our responsible actions? Our Sustainability Report outlines how the Dr. Richard Group fulfills its responsibilities towards the environment, its employees, and society as a whole.
With our mobility services, we are at the cutting edge.
Dr. Ludwig Richard