Belgium: Electric buses coming to Ghent and Leuven
VDL Bus & Coach has received an order from Flanders. Transport operator De Lijn wants to buy 146 buses in total, among them a large batch of hybrid models and some all-electric ones to arrive early next year. The buses will serve on routes in Ghent and Leuven.
For Dutch VDL, the order builds on an existing relationship with De Lijn that now includes their electric mobility offering for the first time. Says Filip Malefason, MD of VDL Bus & Coach Belgium: “We are proud that with this extensive order our long relationship continues, now also in the area of E-Mobility, and that we have this opportunity to contribute to sustainable public transport in Flanders.”
The order entails 84 Citea SLE-120 Hybrid and seven all-electric Citea SLF-120 Electric. The 84 hybrid models will add to an existing commission of 66 Citea SLE Hybrid that had been placed already in October 2017. The new batch of hybrid and electric buses is scheduled for arrival in the first quarter of 2019.
The 12 metre VDL Citea SLF-120 Electric is powered by an 85 kWh battery and has room for 92 passengers. Charging infrastructure will be provided by VDL together with ABB and installed in Ghent and Leuven. A 300 kW rapid charger (on the bus line) and 40 kW depot chargers will ensure the electric buses can be in service throughout the day.
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