De Lijn, the Flemish public transport operator, has placed an order for 32 electric articulated E-Way buses from Iveco as part of its transition to a fully emission-free fleet by 2035. This order, valued at approximately €24 million, marks the latest step in a framework agreement signed in early 2023, which envisions the delivery of up to 500 electric buses by the end of the decade.
The newly ordered vehicles are expected to arrive in Flanders around late 2025 or early 2026. To date, De Lijn has ordered 109 electric buses under this framework, with the first units scheduled for delivery this year. The agreement with Iveco aligns with a broader procurement strategy initiated in March 2022, which seeks to introduce up to 1,250 electric buses of various lengths, ranging from 8.5 to 24 meters, into De Lijn’s fleet.
“Completely emission-free public transport by 2035 is a firm goal to which we are committed,” said Ann Schoubs, CEO of De Lijn. She emphasized the importance of collaboration with governmental authorities to achieve this vision, highlighting the need for timely funding and approvals for depot electrification. “This transformation involves making 3,600 buses environmentally friendly across 140 fixed locations,” Schoubs added.