Belgian De Lijn orders 290 electric buses from BYD, Iveco Bus, VDL

Flemish public transport operator De Lijn has awarded contracts for 290 electric buses to three manufacturers— BYD, Iveco Bus, VDL Bus & Coach —as part of its long-term goal to operate a fully emission-free fleet by 2035. The order represents an investment of €185 million and marks another significant step in De Lijn’s fleet electrification strategy.

The first buses from this latest order are expected to be delivered by the end of 2026. The procurement is funded through a broader €400 million allocation from the Flemish government for the renewal of De Lijn’s rolling stock. This new order is in addition to 230 electric buses that are currently being delivered, and Flemish Minister for Mobility Annick De Ridder has indicated that further procurement rounds are likely later this year. What is interesting, De Lijn has recently withdrawn its five hydrogen-powered buses, mentioning a full BEV strategy.

De Lijn orders e-buses from BYD, Iveco, VDL

De Lijn’s recently published 2024 annual report underlines the strategic importance of fleet renewal and electrification. Last year, the operator ordered 124 electric buses and signed a new framework contract for future HOV (high occupancy vehicle) e-bus acquisitions. With additional investment support from the Flemish government, De Lijn plans to place orders for another 500 e-buses in 2025.

As reported by De Tijd, the largest share of the order—140 standard 12-metre buses—has been assigned to Chinese manufacturer BYD. These vehicles will be built at BYD’s European production facility in Hungary. This follows a broader framework agreement signed between De Lijn and BYD in 2023 for the potential purchase of up to 500 standard electric buses, each priced at approximately €500,000. That deal generated political and industry debate at the time, particularly due to the exclusion of the Belgian bus builder Van Hool, which was already facing financial difficulties. In early 2024 De Lijn already ordered 92 units from the same framework contract.

In line with previous tenders, De Lijn has distributed its procurement among multiple suppliers. Iveco Bus will supply 100 articulated electric buses, each 18 metres in length, to be produced in France. Dutch manufacturer VDL Bus & Coach has been contracted to deliver 50 articulated units, also 18 metres long.