ASSURED project partner VDL Bus & Coach is celebrating the milestone of its 670 Citeas Electric currently on the road in Europe having achieved 50 million electric kilometres. At the same time, the introduction of a new battery pack is increasing the range of operating and system solutions available.
The new batteries, for which the first orders have already been received, have a capacity of 315 kWh for the Citea LLE Electric, 350 kWh for the Citea SLF and SLE Electric, 420 kWh for the Citea SLFA Electric and 525 kWh for the Citea XLE Electric. The battery packs are lighter than other batteries and because of the larger battery capacity on board, the buses can run for longer periods of time between charges. The VDL High Energy batteries can also be charged quickly by means of a pantograph on the roof.
“Over the past year, we have further expanded our position in e-mobility and also strengthened it geographically,” says Henk Coppens, CEO of VDL Bus & Coach. “Our next steps in terms of further development are the further optimisation of energy consumption and the application of the next generations of batteries. In addition to the many operations that use fast charging, we also see the market’s need for greater range, especially now that more and more regional operations are also being electrified. We are also very much looking at expanding our sales area to southern Europe.”
Read more in the official press release.