VDL Groep launches new generation of electric city bus
During the past decade, VDL Bus & Coach has grown into one of the most important players in Europe in the field of e-mobility. With the launch of the new generation VDL Citea at InnoTrans in Berlin today, the electrical demand of the future is met. The new platform is fully electric and developed for every possible deployment and climate zone. The new VDL Citea offers the optimum for the operator - electric driving without concessions: zero compromise.
Development new generation VDL Citea buses
With the new generation of VDL Citea, VDL Bus & Coach, the Buses & Coaches division of VDL Groep, wants to further expand its leading position in the European public transport market. The new Citea is future-proof and responds to the public transport developments of the future. In order to define a new innovative concept with maximum freedom and without concessions, VDL Bus & Coach uses a development approach that creates maximum freedom to create a vehicle.
A vehicle concept that fulfils all requirements and wishes, for now and in the future. First of all, all modules and components were placed in a vacuum. The next phase was to bring them together optimally in order to define an uncompromising vehicle. As a result, for example, the batteries have been housed in the floor as a standard, the ideal axle load distribution has been achieved and an ideal layout for the interior has been designed. Everything has been developed with an eye to excellent vehicle characteristics such as low energy consumption, maximum range, high passenger capacity and maximum comfort for driver and passengers. The result is a completely new platform that sets the new standard for zero-emission buses, now and in the future.
Use of data current generation VDL Citeas
The current generation of electric VDL Citeas has generated a lot of data after more than 200 million kilometres driven. This data has been very useful as quantitative input for the new generation of VDL Citeas. On the other hand, very extensive market research with customers, drivers, passengers and industry-related stakeholders formed the basis for qualitative information. The collaboration with various renowned universities and institutes has brought extra knowledge to the concept. All this information has been translated into innovative, customer-oriented concepts that are realised and validated in the end product.
New generation of VDL Citeas already sold
The new generation of VDL Citeas has already been sold in various countries and will be deployed in various cities and areas from this year: the Netherlands (Eindhoven and Amsterdam), Finland (Kotka and Lahti), Belgium (all of Flanders), Germany (Oberhausen and Braunschweig) and France (Bordeaux). During InnoTrans 2022, VDL Bus & Coach will be showing its new generation Citea to the public for the first time. This trade fair will take place in Berlin, from Tuesday, 20 to Friday, 23 September 2022.
Market leader electric buses in Europe
In the first half of 2022, a total of 1,767 electric buses will be registered in Europe. With 242 registered electric buses, VDL Bus & Coach is the European market leader. This is evident from figures from Chatrou CME Solutions. With 1,385 registrations in the first half of 2021, registrations increased by 28% in the first half of 2022. The number of electric buses also showed a sharp increase in the previous year: 48% more e-buses were registered in Europe in 2021 compared to 2020. Last year, a total of 3,282 e-buses were registered; in 2020, that number was 2,210. The number of registered electric buses in Europe has passed 10,000 for the first time. Since records began in 2012, the exact number stands at 10,270.
About VDL Bus & Coach
The core activities of VDL Bus & Coach consist of the development, production, sales and after-sales service of a wide range of public transport buses, coaches and chassis modules, the conversion or extension of mini and midi buses and the purchase and sale of second-hand buses. VDL Bus & Coach consists of several operating companies that are jointly active on the world market. Production takes place in Western Europe. Quality, safety, sustainability, the environment, low energy consumption, comfort and low maintenance costs are of paramount importance. In the transition to zero-emission transport, VDL Bus & Coach offers total solutions and is not only a bus supplier, but also a system supplier. VDL Bus & Coach products are sold through a worldwide network of its own branches, importers and agents in more than 30 countries. For after-sales service and maintenance, the customer can count on fast and efficient handling by employees at one of the many service points. A very extensive distribution network ensures that spare parts are delivered to their destination as quickly as possible. VDL Bus & Coach is now one of the largest bus manufacturers in Europe.