BELGIUM
Flemish operator De Lijn has ordered 92 12-metre electric buses from BYD Europe in an order worth over €43m. “This order confirms that De Lijn is firmly on track with the electrification of its fleet,” said director-general Ann Schoubs. “Our target is to offer our clients fully emission-free public transport by 2035.”
De Lijn’s 2035 target means it needs to replace its entire bus fleet and to electrify some 50 depots over the next decade. The order follows the awarding by De Lijn’s board of a new framework agreement for up to 500 12 m e-buses to BYD Europe.
“Manufactured in Komarom, Hungary, these electric buses will be delivered from early 2025 onwards,” explained Ann. “They will include our typical customer-friendly equipment, such as USB charging points, an electric ramp for less mobile clients, extra wide information screens on board, LED lighting and seats with recycled leather. Our drivers’ safety and comfort is also being taken care of.”
“This order of 92 electric buses is excellent news for De Lijn’s customers and for the environment and climate,” added Flemish minister for Mobility and Public Works Lydia Peeters. “In practice, this means that De Lijn will be replacing old generation diesel buses with emission-free buses. We are pleased that De Lijn has succeeded in utilising all investment resources for fleet renewal that were made available by the Flemish government for 2023.”
The operator also has a framework agreement for the supply of electric buses that was awarded to Van Hool and VDL in 2021, and says that future orders could go to either manufacturer.