Opérateur de Transport de Wallonie (OTW), a Belgian public transport operator also known as TEC, has placed a significant order for 97 Volvo 7900 S-Charge buses, as part of their ambition to add 430 hybrid buses to their fleet.
The recent order follows successful deliveries of Volvo Buses’ hybrid vehicles, which have demonstrated exceptional reliability. The public tender was secured as part of a larger framework agreement between Volvo Buses and OTW-TEC, and the new vehicles are expected to go into service in Belgium’s Walloon region.
OTW-TEC currently has 293 complete Volvo buses in service, and an additional 177 vehicles with Volvo chassis and bodies supplied by Jonckheere. “We are very pleased that OTW-TEC continues to order our electrified buses and that we can continue our cooperation to provide sustainable transport in Belgium,” said Bas Dubois, Managing Director, Benelux. “One of the key points is that these buses have shown excellent reliability in operation. The drivers also appreciate the comfort of the driver’s environment.”
The Volvo 7900 S-Charge bus, launched in 2020 and now in operation in over 25 countries, offers a range of benefits. The bus is continuously self-charging while in operation, recovering energy when braking and driving downhill, and does not require charging infrastructure.
It can drive in full-electric mode for up to 1 km and at speeds as high as 50 km/h, providing the flexibility to adapt to different cities’ public transport needs. The bus also delivers significant fuel savings, reduced emissions, and low noise for both passengers and nearby residents. With the new order, OTW-TEC and Volvo Buses are continuing their partnership to provide sustainable transport solutions in Belgium.
