Qbuzz intercity operations go electric: Van Hool will deliver 54 15-meter e-buses

Van Hool has signed a contract with Qbuzz (Netherlands) for the supply of 54 battery-electric buses of the model Van Hool A15LE E. These 15-meter e-buses will be used by Qbuzz for regional passenger transport in the provinces of Groningen and Drenthe as from the last quarter of 2024. This joins the order for 59 (plus 4 optional) vehicles with Ebusco announced a couple days ago.

Qbuzz is replacing its existing fleet of Qliner buses with this 100% zero-emission battery-electric Van Hool bus. Oddly enough, no technical specifications are mentioned in the communication by Van Hool.

Van Hool A15LE E for Qbuzz

Because of the inter-city journeys that are undertaken, passengers will spend longer in the bus, so the interiors are equipped with coach seats equipped with seatbelts, USB charging points, footrests and folding tables. Passengers can stow their luggage in the luggage racks. All buses will be equipped with mirror cameras for the driver and three monitors for route information for passengers as well as having a manual wheelchair ramp to allow access for disabled people.

Filip Van Hool, CEO at Van Hool, states: “This order confirms the confidence Qbuzz has in Van Hool. Qbuzz previously ordered nine Van Hool Astromega TDX27 double-deckers and thirty hydrogen buses for use in regular passenger transport. This order is another important benchmark for Van Hool and is undeniable proof of the technological knowledge centre we have built up here in Koningshooikt (Lier) over the years. Continuous investment is made in Research and Development of new products. We build the prototypes, pre-series and high-value-added vehicles here and these are almost always tailor-made to the customer’s requirements. We are delighted to contribute to the further greening of Qbuzz’s bus fleet in the Northern Netherlands.”

Dirk Huzeling, Bid Manager at Qbuzz b.v., explains why they chose Van Hool as the supplier for these unique vehicles: “We were facing a major challenge when opting to replace our current fleet of Qliner buses, which have amply proved their worth. We definitely wanted to go green and so the option of a 100% zero-emission bus was quickly floated. Because of the specificity of the Qliner network in Groningen-Drenthe and its longer-distance, inter-city connections and high average speed, we opted for the long 15-metre buses with 55 comfortable seats for passengers and a large working radius. After a thorough evaluation of the market, we opted for Van Hool, with whom we have already put a number of new vehicles into the existing public transport network in recent years.”