De Lijn to procure 100 electric buses from Irizar

Of the eight applicants, only three submitted a bid for the tender process for 100 electric buses, in which Irizar emerged as the winner. They are planned for “high-quality local public transport” (HOV). However, no order volume is specified. Nor when the vehicles are due to arrive.

No details of the technical data are given in the two brief announcements. Where and how the electric buses are to be charged also remains open. Instead, there are all the more details about the equipment of the electric buses: according to the public transport operator, the electric buses from the Spanish manufacturer for the HOV have a modern appearance with an interior design that is even more focused on passenger comfort than the regular electric buses. There are not only USB charging sockets but also mobile phone holders and reading lamps. There will also be seats with higher backrests. Just like the other electric buses, the Irizar buses have an electrically operated ramp for people with reduced mobility.

“BRT electric buses are a good solution to deal with the underdevelopment of the rail network in Limburg,” said Lydia Peeters, Minister of Mobility and Public Works. “First, we’re putting the Spartacus line 2 from Hasselt to Maasmechelen into service. And the lines from Hasselt to Maastricht and Pelt will follow later on.”

“With Irizar, we have an additional supplier that has a strong reputation in the electric bus market for this higher segment,” says Ann Schoubs, Director General of De Lijn. She continues: “BRT electric buses are different from regular electric buses because they have more streamlined exteriors and higher quality interiors. Time will tell if and how many vehicles we get from the two active framework agreements for BRT electric buses.”

“We’re very thankful to De Lijn for putting their trust in Irizar e-mobility. They are making a significant commitment to electrifying public transport and we’re proud to be by their side in this process, contributing with all our experience, technology and strength,” added Iñigo Etxeberria, Managing Director of Irizar e-mobility.

In recent years, De Lijn has repeatedly attracted attention with large orders for electric buses. The order placed at the end of November last year for 1,600 charging points for electric buses over a period of eight years shows just how big the ambitions are. The contract was awarded to two providers: ABB and SPIE-Ekoenergetyka. The public transport company last attracted attention in January with a framework agreement for up to 500 electric 12-metre buses from BYD. A first tranche of 92 units from this framework agreement has already been firmly ordered. The electric buses produced by BYD in Hungary are to be delivered to De Lijn from 2025. A further order of 100 electric buses will now follow.

irizar-emobility.com, delijn.prezly.com (in Dutch)