SUSTAINABLE BUS 2-2023
Topics? A clear picture of fundings available for zero emission buses in UK, an insight on the fuel cell bus market, a glimpse of the largest electric bus fleet in Middle East (hint: Mowasalat). Again: focus on safety precautions in H2 bus depots, a commentary on the market for second hand e-buses (and battery residual value). Finally: technical presentations of VDL Citea new generation (cover story!), Iveco Bus Crossway LE CNG, Rampini Hydron (and new zero emission bus range)
Topics? A clear picture of fundings available for zero emission buses in UK, an insight on the fuel cell bus market, a glimpse of the largest electric bus fleet in Middle East (hint: Mowasalat). Again: focus on safety precautions in H2 bus depots, a commentary on the market for second hand e-buses (and battery residual value).
Finally: technical presentations of VDL Citea new generation (cover story!), Iveco Bus Crossway LE CNG, Rampini Hydron (and new zero emission bus range)
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT<br />
VDL CITEA NEW GENERATION<br />
STARK CHOICE<br />
The new VDL Citea family is only<br />
electric. It is powered by ZF hub<br />
motors and propelled by battery<br />
modules in the floor (a novelty!).<br />
Construction concept stands out<br />
Long awaited, last September at Innotrans the<br />
new VDL Citea range was unveiled, represented<br />
by a first 12.2-metre demo exhibited<br />
on the Bus Display. The announcement dates<br />
back to the end of 2020, the online presentation was<br />
in mid-2021. Meanwhile, 2020 and 2021 saw the<br />
Dutch manufacturer at the bottom of the top electric<br />
bus players ranking in Europe, overtaken by Solaris<br />
which closed both years as the market leader. A situation<br />
reversed in the first half of 2022, with VDL in<br />
first place with 242 deliveries and a 13 per cent share<br />
in the overall e-bus market. (Editor’s note: complete<br />
data for the whole 2022 are not yet available at the<br />
time of publishing. They will be subject of an ad hoc<br />
report on the next issue).<br />
Let’s get to the product. Battery modules placed on<br />
the floor (an absolute novelty) and the structure of the<br />
sidewalls in monoblocks made of composite material<br />
stand out. VDL’s partnership with ZF is also noteworthy,<br />
with the axle electrified by hub motors to oust the<br />
historic partner Siemens. Finally, among the most relevant<br />
aspects, there is passenger capacity: the version<br />
with standard capacity battery (306 kWh) can accommodate<br />
110 people.<br />
28<br />
In the name of e-mobility<br />
The new VDL city bus family is the result of a project<br />
entirely developed around the electric driveline. Full<br />
low floor and no engine tower are just a couple features<br />
of a range developed, insists the manufacturer,<br />
starting from scratch and with the declared intention<br />
of making the most of the possible benefits of electric<br />
traction without handing down, at the same time, the<br />
result of a construction tradition based on combustion<br />
engines. For the first time, as anticipated above,<br />
the new Citea houses the batteries in the floor (in the<br />
standard 306 kWh version). The maximum battery<br />
capacity is 490 kWh, with the kWhs exceeding 306<br />
Battery modules placed<br />
under the floor (an absolute<br />
novelty) and the structure<br />
of the sidewalls in monoblocks<br />
made of composite<br />
material stand out. VDL’s<br />
partnership with ZF is also<br />
noteworthy.<br />
29
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