Batch of 84 new generation VDL Citeas makes city of Amsterdam even more sustainable

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

Versatile mobility platform

President Willem van der Leegte of VDL Groep: "With the development of the new generation VDL Citea, we have developed a versatile mobility platform that matches the sustainability ambitions of our customers. This also applies to GVB. In this way, we will remain at the forefront of the public transport market, where we are leading the way in Europe on the basis of our more than 150 million electric kilometres driven. By signing this contract, we are making an important contribution to making Amsterdam an even cleaner city for its residents and visitors, based on our collaborative strength. We are proud to be able to supply buses to our capital city again. GVB and VDL have been working together for many years. The fact that this cooperation is continuing is a sign of its success." 

Nicer, cleaner and more sustainable public transport in Amsterdam

Claudia Zuiderwijk, Managing Director GVB: "This order is a good step towards nicer, cleaner and more sustainable public transport in Amsterdam. More and more Amsterdammers will experience how the droning acceleration of buses is disappearing from the city and that the air is cleaner when they cycle or walk around." 

For a climate-neutral Amsterdam

Amsterdam is working to further reduce CO₂ emissions the city. To this end, the municipality has developed the 'Route Map Amsterdam Climate Neutral 2050'. Amsterdam will reduce its CO₂ emissions by 5% in 2025, 55% in 2030 and 95% in 2050 compared to 1990 levels. Part of this is that GVB provides completely emission-free bus transport in 2025. 

Forerunner

"With this order, the GVB fleet will eventually be entirely VDL," says Ard Romers, managing director of VDL Bus & Coach Nederland. "GVB is going to phase out the last diesel buses and permanently switch to zero emission VDL Citeas in Amsterdam. We are proud that, based on the trust built up over the past decade, we are able to extend our cooperation with the partners in this project. The Netherlands is a European forerunner in the electrification of public transport and VDL is happy to provide its experience and expertise as a transition partner. More than 1,000 VDL Citeas now cover over 135,000 electric kilometres together every day in a large number of European cities and regions." 

New generation VDL Citea

Over the past decade, 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 VDL Citeas. Based on the VDL vision, a bus concept has been developed that is entirely based on an electric drive train and that is 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 five 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 of Citeas has been considerably improved. The new generation of VDL Citeas has already been sold in several countries and will be deployed in a number of cities and regions starting this year: The Netherlands (Eindhoven), Finland (Kotka and Lahti), Belgium (all of Flanders), Germany (Oberhausen and Braunschweig) and France (Bordeaux).   

About GVB

GVB provides public transport in and around Amsterdam. Before the coronavirus outbreak, GVB transported approximately 938,000 passengers on an average working day by metro, tram and bus, and on the ferries across the IJ and the North Sea Canal. GVB's goal is to transport passengers safely, hospitably and on schedule. The starting point is that they should feel comfortable, informed and valued. GVB uses all its experience to be a full mobility partner for the city and the region. Together with various parties, GVB is working on an inviting, accessible and sustainable public transport network. The City of Amsterdam, the Transport Authority and GVB have the joint ambition to offer completely emission-free bus transport in 2025. Amsterdam's subways and trams already run on 100% green electricity and the first electric ferries are also in operation. 

About VDL Groep

VDL Bus & Coach is part of the VDL Groep. Strength through cooperation. This is the basis of VDL Groep, an international industrial family business with its head office in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. This business was established 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, the company started specialising in high-tech subcontracting in industries such as the semiconductor industry, later adding plastics processing and the development, production and sale of buses & coaches to its portfolio. VDL Groep is a major player in the fields of subcontracting and semi-finished products and manufactures its own finished products, such as suspension systems, automated car plant systems, heat exchangers and container handling equipment. With VDL Nedcar in Born, it has the only car plant in the Netherlands where serial assembly for third parties takes place.
VDL Groep innovates through a combination of professionalism, entrepreneurship and high-quality machines. The group of companies combines the strength of a multinational with the flat organisation structure and open, informal working atmosphere of a family business where growth opportunities and continuity take precedence. The third Van der Leegte family generation has been at the group’s helm since 2016. VDL Groep has over 15,000 employees and operates in 19 countries. The group comprises 105 operating companies, each with its own specialism, working together intensively. In 2021, the combined annual revenue was 4.995 billion euros.
www.vdlgroep.com