vdl Archives - Sustainable Bus https://www.sustainable-bus.com Electric bus, alternative fueled bus and sustainable public transport systems Mon, 04 Sep 2023 07:42:50 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.9 https://www.sustainable-bus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/cropped-favicon-32x32.jpg vdl Archives - Sustainable Bus https://www.sustainable-bus.com 32 32 VDL, the bus & coach crisis in financial figures: revenue down 40% in half 2023 https://www.sustainable-bus.com/news/vdl-bus-coach-crisis-revenue-down-loss/ https://www.sustainable-bus.com/news/vdl-bus-coach-crisis-revenue-down-loss/#respond Mon, 04 Sep 2023 07:42:48 +0000 https://www.sustainable-bus.com/?p=26657 VDL Groep states it has “achieved this year’s growth forecast in the first half of 2023”, quantified in a 5 to 10 percent increase in turnover growth in the full year. “Net profit declined after the first six months of the year, although the net operating result has grown”, still the group points out in […]

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VDL Groep states it has “achieved this year’s growth forecast in the first half of 2023”, quantified in a 5 to 10 percent increase in turnover growth in the full year. “Net profit declined after the first six months of the year, although the net operating result has grown”, still the group points out in a press note announcing the financial results. 

President and CEO of VDL Groep Willem van der Leegte outlined that “In terms of our half-year figures, three of our four divisions had an increase in revenue”. The fourth one is the bus and coach division, whose revenue “decreased by 40 percent from 251 million euros a year ago to 153 million euros”.

Recent figures on e-bus market show that VDL had only 25 electric bus registrations in H1 2023 and a 1% market share. The drastic decline from 344 registrations in 2022 suggests that VDL is struggling to maintain a strong foothold in the European e-mobility market.

The crisis of VDL Bus & Coach

“The key explanatory factor is the challenges in the supply chains, which makes the delivery of vehicles a laborious process, a situation the entire sector is struggling with – this is how VDL explains the situation of the bus and coach business -. The Buses & Coaches division is loss-making. In the meantime the number of new-generation electric buses for urban passenger transport, the VDL Citea, is increasingly evident in the urban streetscape. VDL Buses & Coaches will actively pursue further development of this new platform over the coming period, with due consideration to this product’s impact on the environment across its entire life cycle (Life Cycle Assessment). VDL will also assess the future of coaches. The third-generation VDL Futura platform will continue to be given further shape.
VDL Buses & Coaches will be present at Busworld 2023 in Brussels next month, Europe’s largest bus & coach trade fair. With the theme ‘Experience tomorrow’s mobility, today’, VDL will display its strategy and pioneering role in the area of sustainable mobility”.

VDL Group, the whole picture

VDL stated that “After the first six months of 2023, the combined revenue amounts to 3.2 billion euros. This is an increase of 22 percent compared to the 2.6 billion euros in the first half of 2022. The net profit for the first two quarters of 2023 decreased by 22 percent from 54 million euros last year to 42 million euros this year. This is primarily due to a provision for the costs of the first phase of the social plan at VDL Nedcar. The net operating result increased 44 percent to 78 million euros. The VDL Groep’s order book (excluding the Car Assembly division) stayed stable and high at 2,081 million euros in week 34. The number of employees has remained stable since the beginning of the year with 16,634 colleagues”.

President and CEO of VDL Groep Willem van der Leegte: ‘We are looking back on a turbulent first half-year in which much revolved around organizing contraction and growth simultaneously. Both require a lot from our organization. In terms of our half-year figures, three of our four divisions had an increase in revenue. The operating result accordingly displayed matching growth. We expect to be able to meet the forecast growth for this year. The fact that our order book remains stable at a high level is an important indicator in this respect.’

Subcontracting

Revenue of the Subcontracting division increased from 1,087 million euros in mid-2022 to 1,321 million euros. This 22 percent increase is explained by the fact that the VDL companies that are active in this division have grown across the board. After two quarters, revenue at VDL Nedcar has reached 1,262 million euros. An increase of 47 percent compared to the 856 million euros a year ago. This increase in revenue can be explained by the fact that as a result of global developments, one year ago VDL car factory in Born was regularly confronted with material shortages (particularly chips), resulting in a considerable loss of production.

Jobs to be cut in VDL Nedcar

As a result of a reduction in work caused by a decrease in volume, it was announced that VDL Nedcar will switch over to a single shift effective 1 November. VDL states: “As a result, approximately 900 employees and 900 temporary workers will become surplus. We are making every effort to transfer them from work to work. In addition to the other VDL operating companies, more than 200 employers are giving thought to a potential job for surplus employees. The first information meeting with these companies has been scheduled for the near future. This will be followed by a job fair to enable employees to establish physical contacts and to facilitate introductions”.

The VDL companies that form part of the Finished Products division jointly generated 437 million euros in revenue over the first half of 2023, compared to 400 million euros over the same period in 2022. This 9% increase can be explained by the fact that the companies in this division are well positioned across the board. The Finished Products division is profitable, the group underlines.

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Nobina to deploy new generation VDL Citea buses for regional operations in Sweden https://www.sustainable-bus.com/electric-bus/nobina-vdl-citea-new-generation-sweden/ https://www.sustainable-bus.com/electric-bus/nobina-vdl-citea-new-generation-sweden/#respond Thu, 03 Nov 2022 10:17:30 +0000 https://www.sustainable-bus.com/?p=22118 Nordic region’s largest public transport operator Nobina will be the first in Sweden to put the new generation VDL Citea into operation. The electric buses, which are a Class 2 design and developed from scratch, are to be used for regional traffic in Ale in the area covered by the transportation authority Västtrafik.  The four […]

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Nordic region’s largest public transport operator Nobina will be the first in Sweden to put the new generation VDL Citea into operation. The electric buses, which are a Class 2 design and developed from scratch, are to be used for regional traffic in Ale in the area covered by the transportation authority Västtrafik. 

The four buses ordered by Nobina are the new generation VDL Citea LE-122 and are equipped with batteries of 490 kWh. They have a low-entry design. The buses will be put into operation in the summer of 2023, VDL says.

The bus, purpose-built for electric traction, was previously presented on an online event in May 2021. The launch was announced in December 2020. A large order was scored in France.

VDL Citea new generation unveiled at InnoTrans

The new product family is the outcome of a new concept entirely developed on an electric driveline. And, for the first time, it houses batteries in the floor (in the standard version of 306 kWh). Maximum battery capacity is 490 kWh, with the kWh exceeding 306 put on the roof. Battery modules are assembled in-house by the VDL group. Formula is NMC, supplier not mentioned. What is interesting is passenger capacity: 110 people can be welcomed on the version with standard battery capacity.

The extensive product development of the new range Citea is based on VDL’s extensive experience with electric buses in real operation. More than 1,300 buses have travelled more than 200 million kilometres since the start in 2013, of which 25 million in the Nordic region. The new generation VDL Citea is developed with both social and environmental sustainability in mind. The buses will be produced in a brand new carbon-neutral factory in Roeselare, Belgium, and have undergone extensive testing, among other things, in the winter climate of northern Sweden.

VDL Citea new generation for Nobina

“The new product generation is based on VDL’s long experience with electric public transport. Many interesting technical solutions and new concepts ensure low energy consumption, a long range and high comfort for both driver and passengers. Development is moving very fast and as the largest public transport operator in the Nordics, and with the most electric buses in the fleet, we look forward to an exciting exchange with VDL Bus & Coach,” says Jens Råsten, Fleet Manager at Nobina Group. 

“We are very happy about the trust that Nobina has placed in us. Nobina and VDL have collaborated for many years, and it is fantastic that together we can be at the forefront when electric operation is seriously becoming the first choice, even in regional operations,” says Fredrik Dahlborg, CEO of VDL Bus & Coach in Sweden. 

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VDL achieves order for 64 new generation Citea for Arriva in the Netherlands https://www.sustainable-bus.com/news/vdl-new-generation-citea-arriva-netherlands/ https://www.sustainable-bus.com/news/vdl-new-generation-citea-arriva-netherlands/#respond Thu, 20 Oct 2022 08:48:41 +0000 https://www.sustainable-bus.com/?p=21875 64 new-generation VDL Citea area headed in Dutch North Brabant East concession. In this way Arriva is responding to the target set by the province of North Brabant of emission-free public transport by 2030. Going into details, VDL Bus & Coach is supplying Arriva with 40 new-generation VDL Citeas of type LF-122 and 4 articulated […]

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64 new-generation VDL Citea area headed in Dutch North Brabant East concession. In this way Arriva is responding to the target set by the province of North Brabant of emission-free public transport by 2030.

Going into details, VDL Bus & Coach is supplying Arriva with 40 new-generation VDL Citeas of type LF-122 and 4 articulated buses of type LF-181. These vehicles will mainly be used for public transport in the city of Tilburg. VDL is also supplying 20 vehicles of type Citea LE-135 for use on HOV lines between Uden-Veghel-Eindhoven and Uden-Veghel-Den Bosch.

VDL new e-buses for Arriva

All 64 new vehicles for Arriva are equipped with CCS Combo 2 charging sockets on both left and right for optimal charging flexibility at depot locations. The buses also contain ISO ePM1 filters in the passenger compartment including virus filter, which protects against bacteria. In addition, the vehicles have camera monitoring systems instead of conventional mirrors, are fully emission-free and equipped with the innovative climate control system.

They are also equipped with an AVAS system, ensuring optimum safety for fellow road users. The ergonomic driver environment is set up in every bus to provide the driver with maximum support. All vehicles are equipped with wood print on the wheel arches and ceiling, and the LE-135 HOV buses have additional interior lighting. These vehicles are characterised by the large number of luxury seats fitted with extra-thick seat and back cushions, and are mainly forward-facing seats for optimum passenger comfort. The city vehicles LF-122 and LF-181 are characterised by their good passenger flow, full low-floor design and multi-purpose spaces for disabled users and a buggy or walker area, VDL points out.

One out of four buses to be electric by end 2023

“With this expansion of our bus fleet, we are taking an important step towards our zero-emission ambitions,” explained Jan Pieter Been, regional director of Arriva South. “As one of the largest public transport operators in the Netherlands, we have a name to uphold. We need to lead the way. For our travellers, our drivers and our clients. Which is why we have set ourselves the goal of being fully carbon-neutral as early as 2027. We will achieve 90% of this through the transition to zero emissions and the last 10% by offsetting. For example, for the purpose of offsetting, we recently planted a forest between Boxtel and Vught.”

Deputy Suzanne Otters-Bruijnen: “These 64 buses are another big step towards the provincial ambition for public transport to be completely emission-free by 2030. Fewer emissions of pollutants are good for Brabant and its people. As things stand, by the end of 2023, 1 in 4 buses will already be electric, which is good news.”

“Electric buses in Brabant, from Brabant: Sustainability at its best,” says Ard Romers, managing director VDL Bus & Coach Nederland. “Our ambition is to contribute to clean and sustainable public transport. With the development of the new generation VDL Citea, we have taken another huge step towards this. Travellers will experience more comfort and a quieter journey. The driver’s working environment has been completely redesigned and designed according to the latest standards. These new vehicles will give public transport a fresh and clean look.”

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«A platform ready for the future». Goal: 800 to 1,000 new VDL Citea per year. Interview with Alex De Jong https://www.sustainable-bus.com/news/interview-vdl-citea-new-alex-de-jong/ https://www.sustainable-bus.com/news/interview-vdl-citea-new-alex-de-jong/#respond Mon, 10 Oct 2022 13:53:21 +0000 https://www.sustainable-bus.com/?p=21656 New markets in the spotlight, a product with lots of technical innovations, a straight focus on electrification of public transport. Alex De Jong, Business Manager Public Transport at VDL Bus & Coach, answers some questions from Sustainable Bus in the framework of the launch of the Citea New Generation, recently at InnoTrans. The 12.2-meter LF […]

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New markets in the spotlight, a product with lots of technical innovations, a straight focus on electrification of public transport. Alex De Jong, Business Manager Public Transport at VDL Bus & Coach, answers some questions from Sustainable Bus in the framework of the launch of the Citea New Generation, recently at InnoTrans.

The 12.2-meter LF was on display at InnoTrans. The range is composed by five lenghts, which is the timeline for the other launches?

«We have started with the 12.2-meter Low Floor, the next step will be, by end of this year, the 12.2 Low Entry version. Next year we’ll add the articulated version and the 13.5-meter».

When is series production going to begin?

«In Q4 2022 we will start deliveries to customers».

ALEX DE JONG VDL

Where will the new Citea be produced?

«We start in the current plant in Eindhoven (Valkenswaard), we have adapted our production site with a new production line for the new generation models. Then from next year we’ll begin production also in the new plant in Roeselare. We will increase volumes first in Valkenswaard and from next year we will have two factories producing the Citea New Generation».

Which production capacity will you be targeting?

«We are looking to reach 800 to 1,000 vehicles a year. We hope to get there in the next 2 to 3 years».

“We want to be back leading the e-bus market”

Up to 2019 VDL was the leader in the e-bus market in Europe. Then for a couple years you have been lagging behind… until this year when you are again at the first place in the market for the period January – June. What happened?

«Our goal is to be back leading the market. In the last few years there were many more entrants in the e-bus market. Also, the e-bus market has been increasing all over Europe, but we were not present in all countries. We aim to build up on this»

Indeed you mentioned a ‘going South’ commercial strategy. Which countries you are targeting, which timing?

«We usually increase our market reach by an average of one country per year. We want to grow step by step. We always start in a new country with a couple projects, we get familiar with the context and the organization of service, with support from HQ, and then we make the next steps. Going South means France and Italy as the next country which we have stepped in».

Do you think the Clean Vehicle Directive is a sufficient tool to speed up the e-bus market in Europe?

«I’d say that it’s enough In Nordic and Western part of Europe, where most of the countries are even ahead of the CVD quotas. In the Eastern part of Europe the situation is of course different».

VDL Citea New Generation: ready for innovations

We have been mentioning floor-mounted batteries and composite side panels as some of the main features of the new Citea, when it comes to innovation. Any other aspects you’d be willing to underline?

«We have been working a lot on the climate system, which acts in combination with conditioning of batteries. Therefore, we have a fully integrated climate system: we use the same system for the driver zone, for the two zones of the passengers compartment and for the batteries. In that way we manage to reduce energy consumption».

In 2020 VDL announced a deal with CATL for battery supply. However, CATL produces LFP batteries and the new Citea features NMC modules. Is the agreement with CATL still in force?

«Yes, we are still using CATL batteries for the existing Citea range».

Any hydrogen version in sight? If yes, will it be based on the same platform of the new Citea?

«This new platform is ready for the future. It’s ready for new developments such as ADAS systems and autonomous driving technologies. We developed in such a way that we don’t need to completely redesign in the moment we get a new system. With hydrogen is the same: after all it’s based on electric driveline. This vehicle is ready for the future, but we will not have a hydrogen version available at the moment. The market is increasing, preparations on our side are underway, but not yet decided when and when to introduce it».

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VDL Citea new generation launched. Floor-mounted batteries, up to 110 passengers on board https://www.sustainable-bus.com/news/vdl-citea-new-generation-presented-innotrans/ https://www.sustainable-bus.com/news/vdl-citea-new-generation-presented-innotrans/#respond Tue, 20 Sep 2022 20:12:10 +0000 https://www.sustainable-bus.com/?p=21396 VDL Citea new generation has been finally unveiled today at InnoTrans 2022. The Dutch manufacturer brought a first demo vehicle in Berlin, where the bus is on the Bus Display. VDL has been leading e-bus market in Europe in first half of 2022. Commercial strategy? “We’ll be moving south, with the goal of expanding our […]

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VDL Citea new generation has been finally unveiled today at InnoTrans 2022. The Dutch manufacturer brought a first demo vehicle in Berlin, where the bus is on the Bus Display.

VDL has been leading e-bus market in Europe in first half of 2022. Commercial strategy? “We’ll be moving south, with the goal of expanding our business in the markets in France and Italy”, said Alex De Jong, business manager public transport. The bus range has been developed in six years time. Energy consumption is cut of 20 to 25 per cent compared to current electric city bus range, he added.

What is interesting is passenger capacity: 110 people can be welcomed on the version with standard battery capacity (i.e. 306 kWh).

The bus, purpose-built for electric traction, was previously presented on an online event in May 2021. The launch was announced in December 2020. The first vehicles are going to be deployed in Lahti, Finland. A large order was scored in France.

Credit: Sustainable Bus

VDL Citea new generation unveiled at InnoTrans

The new product family is the outcome of a new concept entirely developed on an electric driveline. And, for the first time, it houses batteries in the floor (in the standard version of 306 kWh). Maximum battery capacity is 490 kWh, with the kWh exceeding 306 put on the roof. Battery modules are assembled in-house by the VDL group. Formula is NMC, supplier not mentioned. What is interesting is passenger capacity: 110 people can be welcomed on the version with standard battery capacity.

Credit: Sustainable Bus

VDL states an impressive range: «All vehicles cover a distance of 500 to 600 kilometres. Even in bad weather conditions (-15 degrees Celsius), the Citea can still drive 250 kilometres 100% electrically».

For this new generation of electric city buses, VDL Bus & Coach has developed a composite sidewall that consists of a single piece. This causes less vibration, reduces noise pollution and has a good insulation value, which ultimately contributes to passenger comfort.

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VDL will unveil the new generation Citea at InnoTrans 2022 in Berlin  https://www.sustainable-bus.com/news/vdl-citea-new-generation-innotrans-2022/ https://www.sustainable-bus.com/news/vdl-citea-new-generation-innotrans-2022/#respond Mon, 05 Sep 2022 12:18:12 +0000 https://www.sustainable-bus.com/?p=21154 Berlin will be the setting for the official presentation of the new generation VDL Citea. This world premiere will take place during the international exhibition InnoTrans 2022, from 20 to 23 September in the capital of Germany. VDL Bus & Coach will demonstrate its new city bus, an LF-122, which is entirely based on an […]

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Berlin will be the setting for the official presentation of the new generation VDL Citea. This world premiere will take place during the international exhibition InnoTrans 2022, from 20 to 23 September in the capital of Germany. VDL Bus & Coach will demonstrate its new city bus, an LF-122, which is entirely based on an all-electric driveline. InnoTrans is the world’s largest transport technology exhibition.

VDL Citea new generation InnoTrans

The introduction of the new generation of Citeas is VDL Bus & Coach’s answer to the challenges of tomorrow’s public transport. Whereas in recent years ‘Aiming for Zero’ was the ambition, zero emissions is now the norm for the liveable city, VDL strengthens.

VDL states that “Not only is the range of the new VDL Citea significantly improved, one of the most important starting points in the development of the new generation Citea was to increase the number of passengers and their comfort”.

Alex de Jong, Business Manager Public Transport: “With the new generation VDL Citea VDL offers a public transport product range in which there is no reason not to use a zero emission public transport bus. The necessary conditions such as passenger capacity, range and Total Cost of Operation are all met in accordance to market demand, zero compromise. During InnoTrans visitors can experience the new generation VDL Citea for themselves. We will be present on the outdoor area, where we will present the new generation VDL Citea on the so-called Bus display. In addition, we will organize knowledge sessions in and around the bus and all the necessary information about the new generation VDL Citea will be available for our guests’. 

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GVB to launch 84 new generation Citea electric buses in Amsterdam (with option for further 130) https://www.sustainable-bus.com/news/gvb-vdl-citea-new-generation-order-amsterdam/ https://www.sustainable-bus.com/news/gvb-vdl-citea-new-generation-order-amsterdam/#comments Mon, 16 May 2022 11:43:11 +0000 https://www.sustainable-bus.com/?p=19756 GVB has ordered 84 new generation VDL Citea for Amsterdam. They will be deployed from 2023 onwards. The framework contract includes an option for a further 130 new VDL Citea. VDL Bus & Coach will deliver 30 articulated new generation VDL Citeas (virtually launched one year ago) of type LF-181 and 54 VDL Citeas LF-122. […]

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GVB has ordered 84 new generation VDL Citea for Amsterdam. They will be deployed from 2023 onwards. The framework contract includes an option for a further 130 new VDL Citea.

VDL Bus & Coach will deliver 30 articulated new generation VDL Citeas (virtually launched one year ago) of type LF-181 and 54 VDL Citeas LF-122. For the expansion of the GVB fleet, VDL Bus & Coach is also responsible for implementing the charging infrastructure.

GVB has been using electric buses since the end of 2019: 44 are currently in service and an additional 31 will enter service during the summer period, bringing the total number of electric buses to 75 in 2022. The goal is to providing full electric public transport by 2025. First order for the model from the Netherlands was in Eindhoven.

VDL Citea New Generation in Amsterdam

In the new generation Citeas, the battery packs are integrated into the floor as standard, allowing for more passenger space, up to a maximum of 110 people in a 12.2-metre vehicle. For this new generation of electric city buses, VDL Bus & Coach has developed a composite sidewall that consists of a single piece. This causes less vibration and reduces noise, which contributes to passenger comfort.

The side wall improves the insulation of the bus, reducing the need to heat and cool the bus. Moreover, this composite side wall construction is 15% lighter than a conventional side wall. For VDL Bus & Coach, having an attractive design language is an important asset in getting more people to choose public transport.

Amsterdam is working to further reduce CO2 emissions in the city. To this end, the municipality has developed the ‘Route Map Amsterdam Climate Neutral 2050’. Amsterdam will reduce its CO2 emissions by 5% in 2025, 55% in 2030 and 95% in 2050 compared to 1990 levels. Part of this is that GVB provides completely emission-free bus transport in 2025. 

GVB to launch VDL Citea New Generation

President Willem van der Leegte of VDL Groep: “With the development of the new generation VDL Citea, we have developed a versatile mobility platform that matches the sustainability ambitions of our customers. That also applies to GVB. In this way, we will remain at the forefront of the public transport market, where we are leading the way in Europe on the basis of our more than 150 million electric kilometres driven. By signing this contract, we are making an important contribution to making Amsterdam an even cleaner city for its residents and visitors, based on our collaborative strength. We are proud to be able to supply buses to our capital city again. GVB and VDL have been working together for many years. The fact that this cooperation is continuing is a sign of its success.” 

Climate-neutral goals in Amsterdam

Claudia Zuiderwijk, Managing Director GVB: “This order is a good step towards nicer, cleaner and more sustainable public transport in Amsterdam. More and more inhabitants of Amsterdam will experience how the droning acceleration of buses is disappearing from the city and that the air is cleaner when they cycle or walk around.” 

“With this order, the GVB fleet will eventually be entirely VDL,” says Ard Romers, managing director of VDL Bus & Coach Nederland. “GVB is going to phase out the last diesel buses and permanently switch to zero emission VDL Citeas in Amsterdam. We are proud that, based on the trust built up over the past decade, we can continue our cooperation with the partners in this project. The Netherlands is a European forerunner in the electrification of public transport and VDL is happy to provide its experience and expertise as a transition partner. More than 1,100 VDL Citeas now cover over 135,000 electric kilometres together every day in a large number of European cities and regions.” 

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Bologna welcomes a fleet of VDL e-buses. 21 Citea Electric on delivery https://www.sustainable-bus.com/news/bologna-tper-electric-buses-vdl/ https://www.sustainable-bus.com/news/bologna-tper-electric-buses-vdl/#respond Tue, 03 May 2022 09:30:20 +0000 https://www.sustainable-bus.com/?p=19440 TPER welcomed yesterday its first VDL Citea SLF-120 Electric, the first of a supply of 21 e-buses that was the subject of a tender awarded to the Dutch group. The investment – financed with national funds – amounts to EUR 10.8 million, including the supply of the 21 vehicles and the electric charging system at […]

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TPER welcomed yesterday its first VDL Citea SLF-120 Electric, the first of a supply of 21 e-buses that was the subject of a tender awarded to the Dutch group. The investment – financed with national funds – amounts to EUR 10.8 million, including the supply of the 21 vehicles and the electric charging system at the city depot in Via Ferrarese. Once the supply will be completed, 13 e-buses will be in service in Bologna and 8 in Ferrara.

This fleet marks the first 12-metre electric buses in service in Bologna.

VDL electric buses for Bologna

The electric bus by VDL, equipped with 350 kWh high energy batteries, are 12-metre, three-door buses accessible to all: in fact, they are equipped with a platform to accommodate wheelchairs for people with reduced mobility, with a manually operated access ramp. On board there is room for 83 passengers, 34 of whom are seated.

As foreseen when the tender was awarded, VDL, in parallel with the supply of the new Citea, has provided a charging system, in collaboration with Heliox. The system is located at the TPER depot in Via Ferrarese and consists of two chargers with a nominal capacity of 180 KW each and 6 chargers with a combined plug-in charging system.

The system is remotely controlled through the “Web Charger Monitoring” system that allows monitoring and management of the status, timing and power of vehicle charging through software.

Overnight charging in the depot ensures that these vehicles can be recharged for an entire shift of daily service on line 28, the link between the city centre and the exhibition centre. By the end of spring, the service on route 28 will therefore be completely covered by electric buses.

The new buses – the first 12-metre electric buses in service in Bologna – can be widely used on the urban transport network thanks to the dual technological equipment that allows both overnight charging in the depot and so-called “opportunity” chargings during the daily service. The Citea buses are, in fact, also equipped with pantograph.

600 new buses in 10 years of TPER

The President and CEO of TPER, Giuseppina Gualtieri, said: “We had announced a 2022 characterised by new totally ‘green’ buses and with this supply we are guaranteeing a further turning point in the increasingly electrification of city services, in line with the provisions of the Metropolitan City’s plans. In the first ten years of TPER’s history, we have spared no effort in investing in the renewal of the vehicle fleet, with over 600 buses purchased, and in the technology to serve users, using both self-financed resources and ministerial funds for the renewal of the fleets made available by the Municipality and Region. With these electric buses we are consolidating our ecological strategy launched towards achieving the dual objective, with the 2030 target of having a fossil-free urban bus fleet“.

“Cities in Italy are increasingly switching to sustainable public transport. We are proud that TPER has called on our experience as a leader in electric mobility in Europe. Our more than 1,000 full-electric Citeas have covered almost 200 million kilometres in a large number of cities and regions in Europe, which is a clear indication of our expertise. This delivery of the Citea full-electric in Bologna demonstrates our ambition to play an important role in Italy’s transition to emission-free public transport,” says Massimiliano Costantini, General Manager of VDL Bus & Coach Italia.

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16 new generation VDL Citea headed to Braunschweig (Germany) https://www.sustainable-bus.com/electric-bus/vdl-citea-kvg-braunschweig/ https://www.sustainable-bus.com/electric-bus/vdl-citea-kvg-braunschweig/#respond Wed, 06 Apr 2022 13:34:52 +0000 https://www.sustainable-bus.com/?p=19067 With a series of 16 new generation VDL Citea, VDL Bus & Coach is expanding its long-standing co-operation with KVG Braunschweig (Kraftverkehrsgesellschaft mbH Braunschweig). The operator is indeed going to get a series of 16 new generation Citeas in 2023. The vehicles, of type LF-122 are based entirely on an electric drivetrain. VDL Citea new generation for […]

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With a series of 16 new generation VDL Citea, VDL Bus & Coach is expanding its long-standing co-operation with KVG Braunschweig (Kraftverkehrsgesellschaft mbH Braunschweig). The operator is indeed going to get a series of 16 new generation Citeas in 2023. The vehicles, of type LF-122 are based entirely on an electric drivetrain.

VDL Citea new generation for Braunschweig

At the end of last month VDL Bus & Coach received the first order from STOAG Stadtwerke Oberhausen GmbH for the new generation of Citeas in Germany. KVG Braunschweig has also opted to make public transport more sustainable by purchasing new Citeas, which will be used on various routes in the north German city starting next year

“Kraftverkehrsgesellschaft mbH Braunschweig and VDL Bus & Coach have for many years enjoyed a good and successful collaboration, which is now entering a new phase,” says Boris Höltermann of VDL Bus & Coach Deutschland GmbH. “We are very proud of the development we have gone through with this customer: from the Citea LLE to the Citea SLF-E and now to our new generation Citea. This is another step towards a sustainable future, right on our doorstep.” 

The electric buses have a battery pack of 429 kWh. The range of the new generation of Citeas has been considerably improved: with this battery, the LF-122 (Low Floor) can travel up to 300 kilometres on pure electric power without any intermediate recharging, even in harsh weather conditions, states the manufacturer.

With the company’s orientation towards climate-friendly public transport, the focus is on the gradual conversion of the bus fleet to alternative drives, and in particular to electric mobility. “We want to significantly reduce our CO2 emissions,” stresses KVG Braunschweig’s managing director Axel Gierga. “The last diesel bus must be purchased by 2030 at the latest. In doing so, we will benefit from the high innovation rate of the manufacturers, who, like VDL in this case, can supply suitable models for our growing demand.” 

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Ebusco and VDL wins Red Dot Award for Ebusco 3.0 and new generation Citea respectively https://www.sustainable-bus.com/events/ebusco-vdl-red-dot-award-design/ https://www.sustainable-bus.com/events/ebusco-vdl-red-dot-award-design/#respond Thu, 31 Mar 2022 09:33:23 +0000 https://www.sustainable-bus.com/?p=18911 Dutch manufacturers VDL Bus & Coach and Ebusco win the ‘Red Dot’ for design of the 3.0 model and of the new generation Citea  The jury of the world’s most prestigious design competition, Red Dot, gave the award in the ‘Product Design’ category to the two Netherlands-made electric buses. The Red Dot Award has been […]

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Dutch manufacturers VDL Bus & Coach and Ebusco win the ‘Red Dot’ for design of the 3.0 model and of the new generation Citea 

The jury of the world’s most prestigious design competition, Red Dot, gave the award in the ‘Product Design’ category to the two Netherlands-made electric buses.

The Red Dot Award has been awarded annually in several categories since 1955 by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Essen, Germany. This year, the organisation had a record number of entries.

VDL, the second Red Dot Award

The electric buses from VDL Bus & Coach are entirely based on an electric drive train and have trend-setting features. The jury praised the “high design quality and excellent design”. 

The new generation VDL Citea has already been sold in several countries and will be deployed in a number of cities and areas starting this year: the Netherlands (Eindhoven), Finland (Kotka and Lahti), Belgium (all of Flanders), Germany (Oberhausen) and France (Bordeaux).

VDL Bus & Coach has won the award for the second time in its history. In 2017, the Red Dot Award also went to VDL, at the time to the VDL Citea SLFA Electric. The Dutch design agency Modyn, based in Geldermalsen, Netherlands, has played an important role in the design of the VDL Bus & Coach product range for many years. 

Under the direction of VDL’s design team, the close cooperation once again led to success. “The VDL design philosophy makes the journey even more pleasant for both driver and passengers,” explains Bram Veendrick, design manager at VDL. “In the new generation Citea, the traveller benefits from an optimal seating arrangement and flow without obstacles, while the driver has an ergonomic driver’s cabin. There is an optimal streamline for very low energy consumption. The design is based on the characteristics of the public space, which is reflected in the interior.” 

Rik de Reuver, Head of Product Design at Modyn: “In the development of the new generation Citea, VDL underlined the strategic importance of design from the outset. This has been an advantage in both the design process and the cooperation. Our shared principles and ambitions are reflected in the design of the vehicle, which requires a design that is both long-lasting and innovative.” 

Alex de Jong, Business Manager Public Transport at VDL Bus & Coach: “It has always been clear that the next step of a zero emission public transport bus needs new technologies and a new way of thinking. Experience in both the bus sector and in e-mobility has been combined. For VDL Bus & Coach, having an attractive design language is an important asset in getting more people to choose public transport. The form and functionality of the Citea, such as the use of light and colour, must ensure that passengers feel comfortable on board the bus. In the end, we all contribute to the greater goal of a liveable city, where residents will benefit from fewer harmful emissions and noise, and more clean air.” 

Ebusco 3.0, with KesselsGranger DesignWorks

The Ebusco 3.0 has been designed with the partner KesselsGranger DesignWorks.

“Receiving the Red Dot Award for the design of the Ebusco 3.0 is a wonderful achievement for all involved. We’re honoured and proud to work closely with Ebusco, at the forefront of innovation, with a team of specialists in business, design, engineering and manufacturing, creating state-of-the-art mobility which contributes to a better living environment.” says KesselsGranger DesignWorks.

ebusco 3.0 jec innovation awards

Ebusco highlights: «The design of the bus is focused on more comfort with a spacious and luxurious interior and is therefore designed to give the best possible travel experience for drivers and passengers. The fully flat floor allows for increased freedom of movement and the opportunity to maximize the window size. This, in combination with an optional panoramic skylight, increases the natural incidence of light considerably. The body of the bus is made of lightweight composite material. This has many technical advantages but also has a special effect on the bus’ interior. The composite beams are left untreated so the woven carbon fibres can be seen in the bus. Besides comfort, safety also plays a big part in the design of the bus. For that reason, we have replaced the outside mirrors with cameras to increase the safety and aerodynamics of the bus. The Ebusco 3.0 is not only a pleasure to look at, but also a joy to ride. A combination of which we think is crucial within our market».

And again, still mentioning the company’s press note: «With its advanced lightweight construction, the exterior design called for a pure and unique aesthetic. The body shape has been determined by the curvature of the carbon fibre spaceframe that, alongside the increase in strength, results in elegantly curved sides. The styling incorporates a wing-shaped theme that embraces the front and sides, highlighting the lightweight, aerospace-inspired character of the bus. The exterior design includes sculpting that results in a more emotional and dynamic appearance. All components have been developed for a flush-fitting appearance, including the doors and limited panel gaps. The aerodynamic spoiler set has been developed to be as low as possible, which has been enabled through the limited number of roof-mounted components»

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