VDL announces a major contract in Oslo: 102 electric buses in delivery since 2022

VDL Bus & Coach announces it has secured a 102 units ‘electric’ order from Norway, where the capital city Oslo will therefore enjoy the entry in operation, since January 2022, of VDL largest bus fleets in Europe (a similar number of vehicles was commissioned in the Netherlands and currently serve the neighborhood of Schiphol airport within the concession Amstelland Meerlanden).

The 83 Citeas SLFA-180 Electric and 19 SLF-120 Electric will cover a total of approximately 7 million clean kilometres per year. They’ll join 40 VDL e-buses already operating in the city. In mid-2018, the city ordered 17 Volvo 7900 electric. Also Chinese producer BYD is playing a role in Oslo bus fleet.

Electric buses in Oslo for an ’emission-free’ 2028

With the delivery of as many of 102 Citeas, VDL Bus & Coach is contributing to an important objective of the Norwegian city: by 2028, public transport must be completely emission-free.

The operation in Oslo will be carried out by Norgesbuss from 9 January 2022. The 83 VDL-Citeas SLFA-180 Electric are equipped with a roof-mounted pantograph and the 19 Citeas SLF-120 Electric have a CCS charging point, VDL explains. The buses wil mainly be charged at the depot with a charging solution which provides a lot of flexibility. The electric buses will run south of Oslo, in the districts of Søndre Nordstrand, Nordstrand and parts of Nordre Follo. Some vehicles will be in use 24/7.

Oslo, transition to electric buses is underway

At present, 10% of the 1,200 city buses run by the public transportation authority Ruter are electric. Oslo, European Green Capital in 2019, has some of the most effective climate and environmental measures in Europe. By 2030, Oslo aims to be the world’s first capital without greenhouse gas emissions. The city has become a laboratory for testing new electric transport solutions as it transforms into a city where pedestrians and cyclists have priority over private cars. From 2023, all taxis in Oslo must have zero emissions.

“We are keen to use our knowledge and experience as a European frontrunner in electric public transport to contribute to Oslo’s ambitious climate targets,” says Frank Reichel, Managing Director VDL Bus & Coach Norway. “Our 40 electric Citeas already operating in Oslo and the 8 Citeas Electric used as shuttle buses at Avinor Oslo Airport have already driven nearly 2 million electric kilometres. We are extremely proud that the largest e-bus fleet in Norway will consist almost entirely of VDL buses. This is further proof that our strategy of proactively approaching the market in Norway is a successful one.”

Norgesbuss, leader in electric bus operations in Norway

“Norgesbuss is one of the leading bus operators in Norway and we are working continuously to make public transportation more attractive for passengers,” says Atle Rønning, CEO at Norgesbuss AS. “We offer solid, future-proof solutions. With the continuous transition to more zero emission operations, we are happy to have partnered with VDL for this tender. With their track record in large e-bus operations and our combined experience, we look forward to providing environment friendly transportation to even more passengers in Oslo.”