STIB-MIVB expands electric fleet with 50 additional buses entering service in 2026

Brussels public transport operator STIB-MIVB has introduced new electric buses on four additional lines as part of its ongoing fleet electrification programme.

The Brussels public transport company STIB-MIVB has begun deploying the first units from a new batch of electric buses, consisting of 36 standard vehicles that are progressively entering service on routes 47, 56, 58 and 83. The vehicles are part of a wider delivery of 50 battery-electric buses scheduled to enter operation during 2026.

New Mercedes eCitaro buses entering service in Brussels

The new delivery includes 36 standard battery-electric buses of the Mercedes eCitaro model, following a 70-units order that dates back to 2023. In the same year the municipal operator was awarded a €475 million in financing from EIB headed to improving public transport offer, including covering the purchase of over 90 e-buses.

The first unit entered passenger service at the end of January, with the remaining vehicles scheduled to be deployed on the network by the end of March.

These buses will operate on lines 47, 56, 58 and 83. According to MIVB, the vehicles are designed to operate without the need for intermediate charging during daily service.

In addition to the standard vehicles, STIB-MIVB plans to introduce 14 articulated electric buses during the course of the year. These vehicles will join the articulated electric fleet already operating in the city.

The articulated electric buses will operate on routes 46, 53, 87 and 89. During the day, these vehicles will use charging infrastructure installed at the Pannenhuis and Westland-Moortebeek depots.

With the entry into service of the new vehicles, the total number of battery-electric buses in the STIB-MIVB fleet will exceed 140 units. Earlier electric buses deployed by the operator include vehicles supplied by Bluebus and Solaris, which primarily operate on lines 13, 37 and 64.

Since the launch of the electrification programme, the electric bus fleet in Brussels has travelled more than 8 million kilometres, the operator states.

“With these new electric buses, we are taking the next step in modernising our public transport – said Minister of Mobility Elke Van den Brandt – We are consciously investing in liveable neighbourhoods: these buses are quieter and do not emit polluting exhaust gases. They provide greater comfort, not only for passengers on board, but also for people living along the routes”

“Electrification is a major change for the transport company. ‘It is not just about purchasing new vehicles, but also retraining staff to master the new technology and making significant investments in infrastructure, such as charging points at some terminus stops and a completely new depot with state-of-the-art charging infrastructure in Neder-Over-Heembeek” said MIVB CEO Brieuc de Meeûs.