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Pilot with VDL Citea SLFA Electric in Basel

VDL Bus & Coach will deliver a BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) version VDL Citea SLFA-181 Electric to Basler Verkehrs-Betriebe (BVB). This bus is the first electric articulated bus for Switzerland and is part of a pilot project. It will involve testing on all bus lines in Basel, Switzerland, starting late this year. Through this pilot, BVB intends to gain some initial practical experience with electric bus operation. From 2027 BVB will use exclusively 100% renewable drive technology.

“We look forward to this new bus and are convinced that our passengers will also welcome the electric bus”, says Marcel Kuttler, head of technology at BVB. “The bus is comfortable, quiet and drives on 100% renewable energy.”

VDL Bus & Coach is an experienced E-Mobility transition partner, says Alex de Jong, business manager public transport VDL Bus & Coach B.V. “The fact that BVB has chosen to partner with VDL to gain practical experience with electric vehicles and that we are now also going to provide support for furthering the sustainability of public transport in Switzerland is something we take great pride in.”

VDL SLFA-181 Electric
The VDL SLFA-181 Electric is a low floor bus with a length of 18.1 metres, equipped with an electric powertrain. The bus for BVB is equipped with a 248 kWh battery pack and a 450 kW rapid charger. During the pilot period, the rapid charging will take place at the BVB depot. The electric bus is charged in about 50 minutes.