Ghent is the third Flemish city to be introduced to completely emission-free and silent De Lijn buses. From 1 March, we will be deploying three electric buses on a Ghent city line. This project is an important intermediate step in the complete greening of the fleet of more than 2 buses and associated infrastructure: for the first time we are using silent and emission-free buses that will be charged exclusively with green energy at their depot.
The three e-buses in Ghent would initially be loaded both at the Gentbrugge depot and at an intermediate stop, as is the case with the first pilot projects in Leuven and Antwerp. But thanks to rapid technological progress in battery autonomy, we have had the buses converted for Ghent. Instead of relying on interim recharging, the buses have been given additional batteries, so that they can drive 200 km emission-free without recharging.
'Ghent city council is strongly committed to sustainable mobility and better air quality. These quiet and emission-free buses are completely in line with our vision to make our city even more pleasant and liveable.'
Flanders recently sharpened its climate ambitions with a 40% reduction in CO2 emissions, according to the Minister of Mobility and Public Works Lydia Peeters. Public transport is also an important partner in the Flemish climate plan. VVM De Lijn contributes to this Flemish ambition with its greening plan, which is based on three pillars. The first pillar is the electrification of the fleet, a very important part. The purchase of 60 e-buses from Van Hool and VDL was recently approved. These will appear on the streets early next year. Another important point of attention is the depots. With the Destelbergen depot, where some of the e-buses ordered will find their home base, the urban area of Ghent will have public transport that is good for people and the climate.
According to director-general Ann Schoubs, these converted e-buses, which are loaded exclusively at the Gentbrugge depot, are the next step in customer-oriented and sustainable public transport. They will take the experience from this pilot project with them when the latest generation of e-buses will arrive from the end of this year. In addition, the NMBS is also converting hybrid buses to e-hybrid buses, thus focusing on healthier air in our urban areas.
Also read: New Traxx electric locomotives for the NMBS