Viking has revealed its first fully electric motor coach, supporting a destination-focused shore excursion program in Vienna.

In a press release, the cruise line said this makes it the first river line to operate a 100 percent electric motor coach for guest transportation in Europe.

“We have always been deliberately concerned about the environment, which is why we design our ships thoughtfully to reduce fuel consumption. As we begin to introduce electric motor coaches to our land operations, we are proud to extend our environmental commitment even further,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman and CEO of Viking.

“Electric motor coaches are quieter and offer a zero-emission solution, and we look forward to operating them in many more Viking destinations in the coming months and years.” 

Accommodating up to 49 passengers, this is the first of several electric coaches the company plans to deploy across Europe in the coming years. 

The company noted that this builds on its track record of environmentally conscious efforts. 

A notable example in this regard is the Viking Libra, set to be the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship when delivered this fall. 

The 998-guest ship was floated out at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard in March.