First VDL e-buses launched in Italy at Malpensa airport

Two electric buses by VDL launched in Malpensa airport mark the Italian debut of the e-mobility range from the Dutch manufacturer. The 2 Citea SLF-120 Electric buses represent indeed the first electric mobility project of VDL Bus & Coach in Italy and is part of a collaboration between SEA and the carriers Arriva Italia, Air Pullman and Autolinee Varesine.

The project was announced in early 2020, just a couple weeks before the outbreak of the pandemic in Italy.

VDL electric buses in Malpensa

Green Airport Bus is the service offered by SEA for transportation of passengers between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. This service also allows users to reach Cargo City. The service runs from 5 a.m. to midnight with departures every 20 minutes.

This is VDL Bus & Coach’s first electric mobility project in Italy. Moreover, it is among the first system in operation, nationwide, with fast charging in Opportunity Charging Bottom-up mode, i.e. through contact between the pantograph installed on the vehicle and the charging infrastructure at the terminus.

Both buses are equipped with an 85 kWh battery pack. For fast charging of the vehicles, an innovative 300 kW fast charging station has been installed at the P6 Smart terminus car park, as well as overnight cable charging stations capable of charging two buses simultaneously at 30 kW, or one bus at 60 kW. Charging infrastructures are provided by Dutch supplier Heliox.

The buses are equipped with WiFi, USB connections and tinted windows and will not circulate on the airport runways but will be equipped with special lighting so that they can be used in case of emergency.

A partnership between the e-bus launch in Malpensa

“The introduction of these new vehicles is a further step towards sustainability with a first significant reduction in terms of emissions of up to 300 tonnes of CO2 per year. – said Angelo Costa, Arriva Italia’s CEO – We do not exclude that, when the airport’s operations will resume at full capacity, we will be able to evaluate the introduction of other new environmentally friendly buses. It is a project that marks the debut in Italy of VDL Bus &Coach as far as electric mobility is concerned. VDL Bus &Coach is an important partner for us, which we have involved also thanks to the collaboration of Air Pullman and Autolinee Varesina, whom I would like to thank very much for working with us on this initiative”.

“This is an important project that underlines the focus on the theme of ecological transition even in this pandemic moment,” said Alessandro Oldrini, CEO of Air Pullman. “The topic of innovation is crucial, and with Malpensa airport we are also discussing other subjects, such as the road link between the airport and large cities, which we intend to make ‘diesel free’ thanks to technologies such as gas and hydrogen”.

Massimiliano Costantini, VDL Italy’s Director of Operations, says: “We are very proud to be here today. After the more than 100 million kilometres covered in Europe by the more than 800 e-buses delivered, the fact that we can be part of this Italian project is very important for our group. For us at VDL, the subject of electrification of transport systems is of primary importance, not only because we are European leaders in the sector but also because, specifically, we think we can be leading players here in Italy“.