Nantes Métropole has commissioned Iveco to supply 70 Heuliez electric buses, including both standard and articulated models, to be used in the Naolib network serving Nantes and its surrounding areas.
The order includes twelve-metre GX 337 ELEC and eighteen-metre GX 437 ELEC buses. Approximately 30 standard buses are expected to enter service between late 2025 and early 2026, with the articulated buses joining from 2027. Nantes Métropole is financing the 62 million euro purchase. The buses will be operated by Semitan, a semi-public transport company owned 65% by Nantes Métropole and 35% by private individuals, including Transdev.
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The Naolib network, previously known as TAN, connects Nantes with 24 neighboring municipalities and includes a mix of trams, busways, Chronobus lines, regular bus routes, night services, on-demand services, and river lines. The network’s fleet consists of 543 vehicles, with the majority currently running on natural gas and a small percentage being electric.
The addition of the 70 new electric buses will increase the proportion of electric vehicles in the fleet. The GX ELEC buses are equipped with NMC batteries from FPT Industrial, offering a capacity of 69.3 kWh. The motors deliver 310 kW for the standard bus and 375 kW for the articulated version.
“With the acquisition of these new electric buses, Semitan continues to support Nantes Métropole in its desire for an energy transition towards more sustainable mobility,” said Pascal Bolo, President of Semitan. “For the company, this represents a challenge in terms of project management and maintenance, on one hand, to adapt the existing technical and operations centers to this new energy source without disrupting the daily operations of the Naolib network, and, on the other hand, to maintain these new vehicles, involving an evolution of technical skills within Semitan.”
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