Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The first four electric buses from Chinese manufacturer BYD are now operational in Antwerp, marking a significant step toward greener urban transport solutions.
Last year, De Lijn placed an order for 92 from BYD since they were the most affordable.
“The other buses will be delivered in the coming weeks and distributed across Flanders”,
Says Frederik Wittock of De Lijn.
The Flemish Transport Company placed an order for 92 electric buses from BYD Europe in January 2024. De Lijn is ordering big e-buses from a Chinese manufacturer for the first time. After a public tender, the Chinese manufacturer BYD emerged as the top pick.
“It is a first for Antwerp, because that is where our first 4 e-buses from the company BYD are driving around,”
Says Wittock.
In Antwerp, Belgium, the four buses will travel on the usual bus routes. Thirty more vehicles will thereafter arrive at the Mortsel depot.
“We will distribute the rest of the 92 buses to other depots such as Bruges, Hasselt and Winterslag.”
De Lijn claims that the new buses have all the luxury that drivers and passengers might want.
“They are brand new and sustainable buses with no CO2 emissions,”
Says Wittock.
“For example, these silent and vibration-free buses are also equipped with USB charging points, an electric ramp for less mobile passengers and up-to-date trip information on extra-wide screens,”
Adds De Lijn’s director general Ann Schoubs.
The drivers are likewise better off with the new buses.
“Our drivers get a better driving position with more comfortable seats and also more modern safety equipment,”
Says Wittock.
De Lijn’s decision to place the first order for electric buses from Chinese automaker BYD was met with a great deal of criticism last year. For instance, BYD buses in the Netherlands have already been known to have a number of serious flaws. Among other things, bus drivers complained about seats that were not in the proper positions and steering that did not work well.
“We did not make this decision hastily, but studied it thoroughly,”
Wittock emphasizes.
The buses are partly made in Hungary and the technical maintenance center for the buses is located in the Netherlands.
“So there is still a lot of European influence involved in the construction of these buses.”
How are the first BYD electric buses in Antwerp different from previous models?
Compared to previous versions, the Blade Battery’s maximum capacity of 500 kWh allows for an extended driving range of up to 600 kilometers on a single charge, thereby lowering the need for regular refueling.
With improved thermal stability and structural safety characteristics, Blade Battery technology is intended to be safer than conventional lithium-ion batteries.
By reducing the total vehicle weight by 300 to 500 kilos, the buses’ lightweight aluminum frame improves operational efficiency and energy consumption.
By consolidating six essential electrical components into a single, small module, the new 6-in-1 motor controller improves performance, dependability, and ease of maintenance.
