A series of 84 new generation VDL Citea’s makes public transport in Amsterdam more sustainable

VDL Bus & Coach will deliver 54 VDL Citea’s LF-122 and 30 articulated new generation VDL Citea’s of the type LF-181. For the expansion of the GVB fleet, VDL Bus & Coach is also responsible for implementing the charging infrastructure. GVB has been operating electric buses from VDL since the end of 2019. Currently, there are 44 vehicles, and in the summer months, a further 31 will be added, bringing the total number of electric buses to 75 VDL Citeas.

VDL Bus & Coach will supply 54 VDL Citea LF-122 and 30 articulated new generation VDL Citea’s of the LF-181 type. For the expansion of the GVB fleet, VDL Bus & Coach is also responsible for the implementation of the charging infrastructure. GVB has been operating electric buses from VDL since late 2019. Currently, there are 44 vehicles in service, and during the summer months, a further 31 will be added, bringing the total number of electric buses to 75 VDL Citea’s.

Versatile mobility platform

President-Director Willem van der Leegte of VDL Group: “With the development of the new generation VDL Citea, we have created a versatile mobility platform that aligns with our customers' sustainability ambitions. This also applies to GVB. In this way, we remain at the forefront of the public transport market, where we are a leading provider in Europe based on our more than 150 million electric kilometres. By signing this contract, we contribute significantly through our collaborative strength to make Amsterdam an even cleaner city for residents and visitors. We are proud to be delivering buses to our capital once again. GVB and VDL have a long-term partnership. Continuing this collaboration is a sign of its success.”

More beautiful, cleaner, and more sustainable Amsterdam public transport

Claudia Zuiderwijk, general manager of GVB: “This order is a positive step towards a more beautiful, cleaner, and more sustainable Amsterdam public transport. More and more Amsterdam residents will notice that the roaring acceleration of buses disappears from the cityscape and that the air is cleaner when you cycle or walk nearby.” 

Amsterdam climate-neutral

Amsterdam is taking steps to further reduce the CO2 emissions in the city. The municipality has developed the 'Amsterdam Climate Neutrality Roadmap 2050'. Amsterdam aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 5% by 2025, 55% by 2030, and 95% by 2050 compared to emissions in 1990. Part of this strategy involves GVB providing completely zero-emission bus services by 2025. 

Pioneer

"With this order, in the long run, the GVB fleet will also be completely VDL," says Ard Romers, director of VDL Bus & Coach Nederland. "GVB is phasing out the last diesel buses and is definitively switching to zero-emission VDL Citea’s in Amsterdam. We are proud that, based on the trust built over the past decade, we can continue our collaboration with the partners in this project. The Netherlands is a pioneer in Europe in the electrification of public transport, and VDL is happy to utilize its experience and expertise as a transition partner for this. Currently, more than 1,000 VDL Citea’s cover over 135,000 electric kilometres every day across a large number of European cities and regions." 

New generation VDL Citea

VDL Bus & Coach has grown over the past decade to become one of the leading players in Europe in the field of e-mobility. Since the introduction of the first VDL Citea SLF-120 Electric in Geneva, during the UITP Mobility & City Transport fair in 2013, VDL Bus & Coach has focused strongly on electric mobility. In 2021, VDL Bus & Coach unveiled the new generation of electric VDL Citea’s. Based on the VDL vision, a bus concept has been developed, fully built around an electric drive train, ready for the future and where zero emission is a given. 

Batteries integrated into the floor, a one-piece composite side wall, smart energy management, an advanced climate system, and an ergonomic driver's environment. With these key innovations, VDL Bus & Coach introduces the new generation of the Citea product range, consisting of 4 length variants and 5 types. The range of the new generation of Citea's has been significantly improved. The new generation of VDL Citea's has already been sold in several countries and will be deployed in various cities and regions from this year: Netherlands (Eindhoven), Finland (Kotka and Lahti), Belgium (entire Flanders), Germany (Oberhausen and Braunschweig), and France (Bordeaux). 

About GVB

GVB provides public transportation in and around Amsterdam. Before the outbreak of corona, GVB transported an average of approximately 938,000 passengers daily by metro, tram, and bus, and ferries across the IJ and North Sea Canal. GVB's goal is to transport passengers safely, hospitably, and according to the timetable. The principle is that they should feel comfortable, informed, and valued during their journey. GVB leverages all its experience to be a full-fledged mobility partner for the city and the region. Together with various parties, GVB is working towards an inviting, accessible, and sustainable public transport network. The Municipality of Amsterdam, the Transport Region, and GVB have a joint ambition to offer completely emission-free bus services by 2025. The Amsterdam metro and trams already run on 100% green power, and the first electric ferries are now in operation.

About VDL Groep

VDL Bus & Coach is part of VDL Groep. Power through collaboration. That is the foundation of VDL Groep, the international industrial family business with its headquarters in Eindhoven. This company was founded in 1953 by Pieter van der Leegte. Initially, VDL Groep specialised in metalworking. When his son Wim van der Leegte took over the company in 1966, it specialised in high-tech supply for, among others, the semiconductor industry and expanded its portfolio with plastics processing and the development, production, and sale of buses. VDL Groep is significant in supplies and semi-finished products, manufactures its own end products, such as suspension systems, automated assembly lines for car factories, heat exchangers, and container handling systems, and owns VDL Nedcar in Born, the only passenger car factory in the Netherlands where series assembly takes place for third parties.
VDL Groep drives innovation through a combination of craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, and high-quality machinery. The company groep combines the strength of a multinational with the flat organisation and open, informal working atmosphere of a family business, where opportunities for advancement and continuity are priorities. Since 2016, the third generation of the Van der Leegte family has been at the helm. VDL Groep employs over 15,000 staff and operates in 19 countries. The group comprises 105 operating companies, each with its own specialisation, working closely together. The combined annual turnover in 2021 was €4.995 billion.
www.vdlgroep.com