BYD Awarded significant for eBuses in Hungary
BYD, the world’s leading manufacturer of New Energy Vehicles (NEV) and power batteries, has been awarded a substantial electric bus order from Volánbusz Zrt, Hungary’s largest public transport operator. The sizeable order for 48 units of 12-metre BYD low-entry eBuses was placed on 1st April 2022 as part of a formal signing ceremony attended by László Palkovics, Minister of Innovation and Technology; László Vigh, Ministerial Commissioner, Member of Parliament; Zoltán Balaicz, Mayor of Zalaegerszeg, Dr. Zoltán Pafféri, President and CEO of Volánbusz, as well as a number of other VIP guests and Javier Contijoch, BYD Europe eBus Vice President of Sales.
The 48 units of 12-metre BYD low-entry eBuses are scheduled for delivery to Volánbusz later this year and represents the Hungarian PTO’s largest BYD eBus order to date. The pure-electric zero-emission buses will operate in five Hungarian cities: Győr, Zalaegerszeg, Szolnok, Szeged and Eger.
Volánbusz Zrt has previously taken delivery of two 12-metre eBuses, one of which was delivered to the Municipality of Salgótarján in 2018 and the other, to the city of Komárom in 2021, where it introduced cross-border pure-electric bus services across the Danube River to neighbouring Komárno in Slovakia, for the first time. The handover, on that occasion, was made at BYD’s manufacturing facility in Hungary in the presence of Peter Szijarto, Hungary’s Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade.
With over 6200 vehicles in its fleet, Volánbusz Zrt is the largest PTO in Hungary. Following this most recent multi-unit order placed with BYD in April, Volánbusz is now poised to significantly enhance its eco-friendly BYD electric bus fleet. Volánbusz launched its vehicle rejuvenation program in 2018, and has already replaced over 860 units with new vehicles. In line with this, is a strategy to replace 40% of its total bus fleet by the end of 2022, which includes further plans to invest in electric buses and charging infrastructure.
Significantly, all 48 eBuses on order will be built locally in BYD’s European manufacturing facility in Komárom, Hungary. While playing a major part in achieving environmental goals and zero-emission travel in the country, the order also benefits local people, through employment opportunities. BYD Electric Bus & Truck Hungary Kft is BYD’s first factory in Europe, supporting the ethos of ‘built in Europe, for Europe’. In 2021, the factory increased production capacity, accelerating annual output of a single shift to 400 electric buses.
The eBuses on order feature new generation BYD Iron-Phosphate Battery technology which has been developed through BYD’s world-leading expertise and pioneering innovation in batteries. Designed for optimised battery life, safety and reliability, the 343kWh battery capacity delivers a 300 km driving range on a single charge which also makes BYD eBuses a practical and efficient solution for city routes. In addition, the eBuses benefit from BYD’s Battery Thermal Management System with proven reliability in extreme weather conditions.
BYD eBuses also offer benefits to passenger comfort and safety. An upgraded interior layout, including a redesign of the handrail arrangement, increases passenger capacity while ambient lighting, USB charger ports and soundproof floor coverings enhance the overall passenger experience.
The 12-metre eBus is BYD’s best-selling model in Europe with over 1000 units currently operating in Scandinavia, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Hungary. Demand for this popular eBus continues to grow across Europe.
BYD has a successful track record in the Hungarian eBus market, with over 70 pure-electric buses in service or on order in 10 cities including Salgótarján, Tatabanya, Komárom, Pecs and Miskolc. BYD eBuses in Hungary have covered over 800,000 km, reducing CO2 emissions by 870 tonnes.
László Palkovics, Minister of Innovation and Technology, said: “The Government continuously acts towards green public transport according to its ‘Climate and Environmental Protection Action Plan’. Hungary became a regional leader in the rate of renewable energy used in the sector during the past decade, reaching sixth position in Europe and gaining the best result in Central Europe in this field. The Government launched the ‘Green Bus Program’ for the quality upgrade of local bus fleets in rural cities with a budget of 36 billion HUF. This initiative is now to be expanded to settlements with population under 25 000, therefore new tenders for purchasing another 350 e-buses will be announced soon.”
László Vigh,Ministerial Commissioner, Member of Parliamentstressed the importance of climate and nature protection, innovation and energy efficiency, saying: “The majority of public transport developments are realized in this spirit at Volánbusz. Climate neutrality by 2050 is one of the most important aims of the Government, and we are on the right track. Many high-profile developments have taken place in public transport: We are pleased to announce the arrival of these e-buses. These vehicles reduce pollution, and are more cost-efficient, meeting the highest environmental protection standards. This will contribute greatly to sustainability and a healthier environment for our children and grandchildren.”
Dr. Zoltán Pafféri, Chairman and CEO of Volánbusz Ltd., said: “Győr’s city public transport will have the second largest electric bus fleet right after Budapest, but the highest suburban mileage rate performed by e-buses will be in Zalaegerszeg (40%) where more than one third of the buses (33 vehicle) will be powered by electrical energy. The planned annual mileage of these vehicles will be the highest in Győr and Székesfehérvár with around 700 thousand kilometres a year.”
Javier Contijoch, BYD Europe eBus Vice President of Sales, said: “It is a great honour that BYD pure-electric buses have once again been chosen to assist Hungary in its efforts to build a clean, zero-emission public transport system. Volánbusz’s new eBuses will be assembled in BYD’s production facility in Hungary, right here in Komárom. While providing a clean, non-polluting travel experience for local passengers, it also supports the local economy by creating more employment opportunities for people in the region. BYD’s factory in Hungary is a fantastic example of cooperation between nations, and will continue to support the development of the NEV industry in Hungary and the whole of Europe.”
VDL Deliver 16 new generation Citeas to Oberhausen – Germany
Kraftverkehrsgesellschaft mbH Braunschweig will get a series of 16 new generation Citeas in 2023. The vehicles of type LF-122 are based entirely on an electric drive train and have trend-setting features. VDL Bus & Coach is thus expanding its long-term cooperation with KVG Braunschweig.
At the end of last month VDL Bus & Coach received the first order from STOAG Stadtwerke Oberhausen GmbH for the new generation of Citeas in Germany. Kraftverkehrsgesellschaft mbH Braunschweig has also opted to make public transport more sustainable by purchasing new Citeas, which will be used on various routes in the north German city starting next year.
New phase
“Kraftverkehrsgesellschaft mbH Braunschweig and VDL Bus & Coach have for many years enjoyed a good and successful collaboration, which is now entering a new phase,” says Boris Höltermann of VDL Bus & Coach Deutschland GmbH. “We are very proud of the development we have gone through with this customer: from the Citea LLE to the Citea SLF-E and now to our new generation Citea. This is another step towards a sustainable future, right on our doorstep.”
The electric buses have a battery pack of 429 kWh. The range of the new generation of Citeas has been considerably improved: with this battery, the LF-122 (Low Floor) can travel up to 300 kilometres on pure electric power without any intermediate recharging, even in harsh weather conditions. In the new generation of Citeas, it is not only the driver’s seating position that has been greatly improved, but also the steering column, with a greater range of adjustment and lower steering forces for optimum comfort. The vehicles also have a larger passenger capacity and a highly efficient heat pump air conditioning system without additional diesel heating.
13 million passengers
As a regional public transport company, Kraftverkehrsgesellschaft mbH Braunschweig meets the mobility needs of around 13 million passengers every year with almost 200 buses. More than 400 employees ensure that customers reach their destination in a reliable, comfortable, safe and well-informed manner. Passengers have been relying on the services of Kraftverkehrsgesellschaft mbH Braunschweig since 1909.
With the company’s orientation towards climate-friendly public transport, the focus is on the gradual conversion of the bus fleet to alternative drives, and in particular to electric mobility. “We want to significantly reduce our CO2 emissions,” stresses KVG Braunschweig’s managing director Axel Gierga. “The last diesel bus must be purchased by 2030 at the latest. In doing so, we will benefit from the high innovation rate of the manufacturers, who, like VDL in this case, can supply suitable models for our growing demand.”
New generation Citea
VDL Bus & Coach has become one of the leading players in Europe in the field of e-mobility. Since the introduction of the first Citea SLF-120 Electric in Geneva, during the UITP Mobility & City Transport exhibition in 2013, VDL Bus & Coach has focused strongly on electric mobility. In 2021, VDL Bus & Coach presented the new generation of electric Citeas. Based on the VDL vision, a bus concept has been developed that is entirely based on an electric drive train and ready for the future, with zero emissions as a matter of course.
Batteries in the floor, a one-piece composite side wall, clever energy management, a sophisticated climate control system and an ergonomic driver’s environment. With these 5 important innovations, VDL Bus & Coach introduces the new generation Citea product range, consisting of four length variants and five types. The range of the new generation Citeas has improved significantly.
The new generation Citeas have already been sold in several countries and will be deployed in a number of cities and areas starting this year: The Netherlands (Eindhoven), Finland (Kotka and Lahti), Belgium (all of Flanders), Germany (Oberhausen) and France (Bordeaux). Currently, more than 1,000 electric VDL Citeas are in operation in 11 countries, delivered between 2015 and the first quarter of 2022. VDL Bus & Coach is well on its way to the 200 million kilometre mark for electric vehicles.
Reading Buses takes delivery of two new ADL Enviro200 buses for Thames Valley operations
Alexander Dennis Limited (“ADL”), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. (“NFI”), one of the world’s leading independent global bus manufacturers, today announced that it has supplied two new Enviro200 buses to Reading Buses.
The new buses are 11.8m long and will go into service at the company’s Thames Valley Buses subsidiary. They were bought with finance provided by Dawsongroup bus and coach and are fitted with ADLSmartSeats and USB chargers.
Reading Buses are a regular customer of ADL and in December 2021 took delivery of an identical Enviro200 bus for Thames Valley Buses and a Plaxton Leopard coach for its Newbury & District operations.
Reading Buses Chief Executive Officer Robert Williams said: “We’re delighted to take delivery of these two new buses – taking the total to three Enviro200 that we’ve added to our fleet in the last few months to upgrade our high profile route 194 between Bracknell and Camberley. All are equipped with modern features that will be of great benefit to our customers.”
ADL Sales Account Manager Mark Taylor added: “It’s always a pleasure working with the team at Reading Buses and I know these high-quality buses will serve the business and their customers very well.”
The Principality of Monaco selects the E-WAY 9.5m
The inauguration ceremony of 10 E-WAY 9.5m took place last 28th March. These are the very first manufacturer’s midibuses to operate in Monaco. They will fully support the energy transition of the Principality and contribute to respecting air quality while reducing noise pollution. They will be put into operation between April 4th for line 3 and early autumn for line 5.
Quiet and zero emission, the E-WAY 9.5m offers significant environmental benefits, as absence of local pollutants, reduction of greenhouse gases, noise pollution and vibrations. It means more comfort for the passengers and local residents.
With a strong identity, the red and white colours chosen both for the exterior customization and seats’ trim are a subtle reminder of the national flag. On board, the layout imagined by the Public Transport Company of Monaco combines sustainability and elegant design. The vegetal leather, a more environmental-friendly leather alternative, has been specifically chosen by the operator for seats covering in order to further reduce the carbon footprint of its vehicles.
Easily accessible, these midibuses will be able to welcome more than 60 passengers on board, including 16 seated. They are equipped with air conditioning, information screens and USB ports for a peaceful journey.
The compact dimensions of the E-WAY midibus: -9.5 m long and only 2.33 m wide make it very agile for routes difficult to access, especially narrow streets in city centres. To further improve driver comfort, the Public Transport Company of Monaco has decided to fit its vehicles with a rear-view vision system that replaces the traditional exterior mirror.
The E-WAY 9.5m has been designed and produced in the electromobility center of excellence of IVECO BUS based in Rorthais (France). It is equipped with a 160kW electric motor and NMC Lithium-ion batteries located on the roof and in the
rear compartment. It recharges at night at the depot in a few hours, thus benefiting from the necessary range for one day operation.
Roland de Rechniewski, Director of Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco: “We are entering a new era by putting into service these series of buses that comply with our environmental commitments. Their elegance and comfort, we hope, will convince our users and visitors.”
Stéphane ESPINASSE, Head of Sales & Products, IVECO BUS said: “. We are particularly proud to deliver for the first time our full electric midibuses in such a prestigious place as Monaco, and to support the principality in its strong approach to respecting environment and the Mediterranean coast.”
Another Mercedes-Benz Tourismo enters the P&O Lloyd fleet
P&O Lloyd, a well-established family-run operator based in North Wales, has invested in another new Mercedes-Benz Tourismo. Running a high specification coach fleet, P&O Lloyd also operate a large busy bus fleet supporting local schools in the area. With positive feedback from drivers and passengers alike, the build quality and fuel savings enjoyed with the previous Tourismos made choosing Mercedes-Benz once again an easy decision.
Built on a 12-metre chassis, the new Tourismo seats 53 in TSE+ upholstery with an OM 470, 290 kW Euro VI engine and 6-speed ZF Ecolife automatic transmission. The new Tourismo also sets the standard for safety, equipped with the latest features including Active Brake Assist 4 (ABA 4), Lane Departure Warning, rear-view camera and an Electronic Stability Program. Footrests, foldout tray tables, onboard fridge and hot water boiler ensure passengers will have a relaxed and enjoyable journey with P&O Lloyd.
The new Tourismo delivered to P&O Lloyd was supplied by Mercedes-Benz EvoBus.
