The public transport company, De Lijn, has made its first large order of electric buses. De Tijd is reporting upon the issue on Friday. Six electric buses have been ordered from the VDL factory in Roulers (East Flanders).
The vehicles, to be introduced in Antwerp, Ghent and Leuven at the end of next year, will have a 50-minute battery life, and will be able to be quickly recharged upon departure or arrival.
De Lijn’s focus in recent years has been upon hybrid vehicles, which function as much on electricity as fuel.
VDL won the tender despite facing its competitors the Finnish Linkker OY and the Swedish company, Volvo Bushet. VDL will also supply 30 diesel buses to De Lijn.
Moreover, the Flemish transport company has ordered 36 urban buses from the company Van Hool (Koningshooikt).
The Brussels Times
