Škoda says the value of the contract, including comprehensive service and maintenance up to 400,000 kilometres, exceeds EUR50m.

The first vehicle is being tested over 2,500 kilometres on the streets of Plzeň, after which it will be delivered to the customer later this year.

These unusual double-articulated trolleybuses, measuring 24.7 metres in length, were specified by Dopravní podnik hl. m. Prahy, the agency responsible for bus services in the capital, for the line between Nádraží Veleslavín in the city and Václav Havel Airport Prague.

Didier Pfleger is promoted to the position of Executive Chairman from his former role as CEO, and Petr Novotný, who led the company’s Components & Bus Mobility division, succeeds Pfleger as CEO.

The Czech company is bringing these separate activities together in a new division (led by Petr Novotný), believing them to have significant and connected growth potential.

Škoda customers will have the option to convert their diesel buses to electric, using pepper motion’s electric powertrain ‘etrofit’ kit specifically designed for buses.

In his new role, Banach will be responsible for production technology, "lean management" and logistics.

The Czech company is pilot testing Škoda E’City buses ordered by Prague Public Transit Co in February 2021, using existing power lines in the capital city for charging via pantograph.