panish bus maker Irizar will deliver its first electric vehicles to the Netherlands after securing an order from Arriva Personenvervoer Nederland for 39 battery-electric buses, the companies said.
The order comprises 18 standard 12-metre units and 21 articulated 18-metre units of Irizar’s ie tram model. The vehicles are scheduled for delivery in December 2026 and will be deployed in the Oost-Brabant region, operating primarily on a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor serving Tilburg and ’s-Hertogenbosch.
Irizar said the contract marks its entry into the Dutch market for electric buses. “We would like to thank Arriva for putting their trust in us. This order is very important for us. Because it means including a new country in our portfolio and continuing to broaden and expand our electromobility solutions,” said José Antonio Sola, global sales director at Irizar e-mobility.
Arriva said the ie tram buses were selected to meet the demands of high-frequency urban services. “They perfectly meet the needs for the busy, high-frequency city lines in Tilburg and ’s-Hertogenbosch. Plenty of light, plenty of space, the ability to board quickly, and a distinctive, futuristic design,” said Jan Pieter Been, South regional director at Arriva Netherlands.
The buses will be equipped with batteries providing a total capacity of 615 kilowatt-hours and will be charged via plug-in systems at the depot. Irizar said the vehicles are expected to offer a range of up to 350 kilometres. Designed to resemble a tram, the ie tram model is offered by the manufacturer in 10-, 12- and 18-metre variants and is aimed at high-capacity urban routes, including BRT operations.