Delivered in December 2013, the first PistenBully 600 E+ was officially handed over to Seilbahnen St. Vigil in a ceremony on 07.01.2014. Accompanied by fireworks and music, the PistenBully 600 E+ made its way down the Pres-Da-Peres slope alongside four other PistenBully. The CEO of Kässbohrer Geländefahrzeug AG, Jens Rottmair, then officially presented the vehicle to the President of Seilbahnen St. Vigil, Georg Mutschlechner. As to why St. Vigil has chosen to make this investment – Georg Mutschlechner explains: “It is true that buying a PistenBully 600 E+ comes with considerable extra costs, but we believe that the ski resort should do something for sustainability. In addition, the costs are offset by the much lower consumption of the PistenBully.”

The first diesel-electric snow groomer in mountain use worldwide was presented to the eager public for the first time in February 2012 at the Kaunertal Glacier. The drive technology not only facilitates a 20% reduction in both NOx and CO2, but also a 20% drop in fuel consumption, which means the associated operating costs also fall by a dramatic 20%, as the vehicle deploys its full performance within a much lower speed range.

Moreover, energy produced is transferred to the drive system on the downhill runs, which makes the vehicle much more efficient. The fact that 99% less soot particles are released into the air is an additional happy bonus. PistenBully 600 E+ can now be seen hard at work in many ski resorts across Europe – including big names like St. Moritz, Zermatt and now St. Vigil.

“Not just talking, but doing – that’s our company’s motto,” explains Jens Rottmair, CEO of Kässbohrer Geländefahrzeug AG. “Naturally, the development of a vehicle with a diesel-electric drive was not always easy, but we are proud that we went in this direction and that the ultimate result is a genuine PistenBully.”