With 36 new generation Citeas, VDL makes an entrance in the French metropolis Bordeaux

26 Nov 2021

VDL Groep's first e-mobility project in France will be rolled out from the first quarter of 2024. In the Bordeaux agglomeration, with 800,000 inhabitants, 36 new generation VDL Citeas will be driving on a new line with a focus on commuter traffic. The articulated buses of the VDL Citea LF-181 type are based entirely on an electric powertrain and have trendsetting features.

“We are very proud that, after a long and thorough selection process, VDL has been selected by one of the most important metropolises in France to realize such a demanding bus line”, says Marcel Jacobs, commercial director of VDL Bus & Coach, the Buses division. from VDL Groep. “A great result of our sales organization in France, and a recognition of our qualities as a European leader in e-mobility. The principles of the new VDL Citea bus concept, which offers solutions without compromise, fit in seamlessly with the sustainable ambitions of the metropolis of Bordeaux.”

express bus line

In Bordeaux, a start has been made on the construction of the bus line that will be served by the new generation of VDL Citeas from 2024. This is a completely new operation, which will replace two existing regular bus lines. Bordeaux aims to provide a reliable and high-quality public transport service for urban commuters from the commune Saint-Aubin de Médoc to the Saint-Jean Central train station in the historic center. Traffic light priority bus lanes will be constructed along the 21-kilometre line.

Bordeaux Metropole

The metropolis of Bordeaux has 800,000 inhabitants, spread over its 28 municipalities, making it one of the largest metropolises in France. The TBM (Transports Bordeaux Métropole) network includes 4 tram lines and 78 bus lines, which are used by more than 400 vehicles, covering nearly 30 million kilometers per year.

Improved range

In addition to the bus fleet, VDL Bus & Coach will also supply the complete charging infrastructure and VDL is also responsible for the complete fleet management system. Delivery of the new generation of VDL Citeas is scheduled for the first quarter of 2024. The e-buses have a battery pack of 552 kWh and are extremely suitable for city transport with a high service level. The range of the new generation of VDL Citeas has been significantly improved: the VDL Citea LF-181 has a range of up to 600 kilometers, depending on the chosen configuration.

New generation of VDL Citeas

VDL Bus & Coach has grown into one of the most important players in Europe in the field of e-mobility. VDL has been active in the field of electric transport for over 25 years. 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 presented the new generation of electric VDL Citeas. Based on the VDL vision, a bus concept has been developed, completely based on an electric drive train, which is ready for the future and where zero emissions are self-evident. VDL Bus & Coach is introducing an innovative composite sidewall construction that is 15 percent lighter compared to a conventional sidewall. The battery pack is integrated into the floor as standard.

In 2020, VDL Bus & Coach continued its name as a leading transition partner on the road to zero-emission public transport. With more than 900 buses in 11 countries, delivered between 2015 and 2021, VDL Bus & Coach has a market share of 20 percent in Europe. The 100 million electric kilometers achieved in February of this year result in a saving of more than 14.7 million kilograms of CO2 emissions.

Met 36 nieuwe generatie Citeas maakt VDL entree in Franse metropool Bordeaux

With 36 new generation Citeas, VDL makes an entrance in the French metropolis Bordeaux

26 Nov 2021

VDL Groep's first e-mobility project in France will be rolled out from the first quarter of 2024. In the Bordeaux agglomeration, with 800,000 inhabitants, 36 new generation VDL Citeas will be driving on a new line with a focus on commuter traffic. The articulated buses of the VDL Citea LF-181 type are based entirely on an electric powertrain and have trendsetting features.

“We are very proud that, after a long and thorough selection process, VDL has been selected by one of the most important metropolises in France to realize such a demanding bus line”, says Marcel Jacobs, commercial director of VDL Bus & Coach, the Buses division. from VDL Groep. “A great result of our sales organization in France, and a recognition of our qualities as a European leader in e-mobility. The principles of the new VDL Citea bus concept, which offers solutions without compromise, fit in seamlessly with the sustainable ambitions of the metropolis of Bordeaux.”

express bus line

In Bordeaux, a start has been made on the construction of the bus line that will be served by the new generation of VDL Citeas from 2024. This is a completely new operation, which will replace two existing regular bus lines. Bordeaux aims to provide a reliable and high-quality public transport service for urban commuters from the commune Saint-Aubin de Médoc to the Saint-Jean Central train station in the historic center. Traffic light priority bus lanes will be constructed along the 21-kilometre line.

Bordeaux Metropole

The metropolis of Bordeaux has 800,000 inhabitants, spread over its 28 municipalities, making it one of the largest metropolises in France. The TBM (Transports Bordeaux Métropole) network includes 4 tram lines and 78 bus lines, which are used by more than 400 vehicles, covering nearly 30 million kilometers per year.

Improved range

In addition to the bus fleet, VDL Bus & Coach will also supply the complete charging infrastructure and VDL is also responsible for the complete fleet management system. Delivery of the new generation of VDL Citeas is scheduled for the first quarter of 2024. The e-buses have a battery pack of 552 kWh and are extremely suitable for city transport with a high service level. The range of the new generation of VDL Citeas has been significantly improved: the VDL Citea LF-181 has a range of up to 600 kilometers, depending on the chosen configuration.

New generation of VDL Citeas

VDL Bus & Coach has grown into one of the most important players in Europe in the field of e-mobility. VDL has been active in the field of electric transport for over 25 years. 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 presented the new generation of electric VDL Citeas. Based on the VDL vision, a bus concept has been developed, completely based on an electric drive train, which is ready for the future and where zero emissions are self-evident. VDL Bus & Coach is introducing an innovative composite sidewall construction that is 15 percent lighter compared to a conventional sidewall. The battery pack is integrated into the floor as standard.

In 2020, VDL Bus & Coach continued its name as a leading transition partner on the road to zero-emission public transport. With more than 900 buses in 11 countries, delivered between 2015 and 2021, VDL Bus & Coach has a market share of 20 percent in Europe. The 100 million electric kilometers achieved in February of this year result in a saving of more than 14.7 million kilograms of CO2 emissions.