|
VDL Bus & Coach has grown over the past decade to become one of the leading players in Europe in the field of e-mobility. With the launch of the new generation VDL Citea, today at InnoTrans in Berlin, the electric demand of the future is being met. The new platform is fully electric and designed for every possible application and climate zone. The new VDL Citea offers the optimum for the operator; electric driving without compromises: zero compromise.
With the new generation VDL Citea, VDL Bus & Coach, the bus division of VDL Groep, aims to further strengthen its leading position in the European public transport market. The new Citea is future-proof and responds to the developments in public transport of the future. To define a new innovative concept with maximum freedom and without concessions, VDL Bus & Coach employs a development approach that has created maximum freedom to design a vehicle.
A vehicle concept that meets all requirements and wishes, for now and the future. Firstly, all modules and components have been placed in the ‘void’. The next phase was to bring them together optimally to determine a no-compromise vehicle. This has led to, for example, batteries being standardly housed in the floor, the optimal axle load distribution being achieved, and an optimal layout for the interior being designed. Everything has been developed with a view to creating excellent vehicle properties such as low energy consumption, maximum range, high passenger capacity, and optimal comfort for driver and passengers. The result is a completely new platform that sets the new standard for zero-emission buses, for now and the future.
The current generation of electric VDL Citeas has generated a lot of data after over 200 million kilometres driven. This data has been extremely useful as quantitative input for the new generation of VDL Citeas. On the other hand, extensive market research with customers, drivers, passengers, and industry-related stakeholders formed the basis for qualitative information. Collaborations with various renowned universities and institutes have brought additional knowledge into the concept. All this information has been translated into innovative, customer-oriented concepts that have been implemented and validated in the final product.
Dashboard of the new VDL Citea.
The new generation of VDL Citea's has already been sold in various countries and will be deployed in different cities and regions from this year: the Netherlands (Eindhoven and Amsterdam), Finland (Kotka and Lahti), Belgium (entire Flanders), Germany (Oberhausen and Braunschweig), and France (Bordeaux). During InnoTrans 2022, VDL Bus & Coach will present its new generation Citea to the public for the first time. This trade fair takes place in Berlin, from Tuesday 20th to Friday 23rd September 2022.
In the first half of 2022, a total of 1,767 electric buses were registered in Europe. VDL Bus & Coach is the market leader in Europe with 242 registered electric buses. This data comes from Chatrou CME Solutions. With 1,385 registrations in the first half of 2021, registrations in the first half of 2022 have increased by 28%. The previous year also saw a significant rise in the number of electric buses: in Europe, 48% more e-buses were registered in 2021 compared to 2020. Last year, a total of 3,282 e-buses were registered; in 2020, this number was 2,210. The number of registered electric buses in Europe has exceeded 10,000 for the first time. Since keeping this record began in 2012, the exact number stands at 10,270.
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, touring coaches, and chassis modules, the conversion or extension of mini- and midibuses, and the buying and selling of used buses. VDL Bus & Coach comprises several operating companies that are jointly active on the global market. Production takes place in Western Europe. Key values include quality, safety, sustainability, the environment, low energy consumption, comfort, and low maintenance costs. 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. The sales of VDL Bus & Coach products are made through a worldwide network of own branches, importers, and agents in more than 30 countries. For after-sales service and maintenance, customers can rely on quick and seamless handling by staff at one of many service points. An extensive distribution network ensures that spare parts are delivered as quickly as possible to the destination. VDL Bus & Coach has now grown to become one of the largest bus manufacturers in Europe.
Communications Director and spokesperson for VDL Groep
E: m.timmers@vdl.nl
Tel: +31 6 14767066
Are you a journalist interested in our work, or would you like to focus on VDL Groep for another reason?
Then please contact us.