KVG Kiel Expands Electric Fleet with 50 New Generation Citeas from VDL Bus & Coach

KVG Kiel Expands Electric Fleet with 50 New Generation Citeas from VDL Bus & Coach

(IN BRIEF) KVG Kieler Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH has entered into an agreement with VDL Bus & Coach to acquire 50 new generation Citea electric buses, with an option for an additional 10 units. These electric vehicles will be delivered in 2024 and 2025, pushing KVG’s VDL Bus & Coach fleet beyond 100 units. The order includes 30 electric articulated new generation Citea LF-181 buses and 20 electric new generation Citea LF-122 buses, all equipped with substantial battery packs. Notably, these new Citeas feature a mirror replacement system utilizing cameras instead of traditional mirrors and will also be fitted with pantographs. This partnership underscores KVG’s commitment to transforming its bus fleet and VDL Bus & Coach’s reputation as a trusted supplier of electric city buses.

(PRESS RELEASE) VALKENSWAARD, 29-Sep-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — KVG Kieler Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH and VDL Bus & Coach have reached an agreement for yet another order of 50 new generation Citeas with an option for 10 additional units. The vehicles, based entirely on an electric powertrain, will be delivered in 2024 and 2025. With this order, KVG will exceed 100 units of the VDL Bus & Coach brand in its fleet.

VDL Bus & Coach is to supply 30 electric articulated new generation Citea LF-181 buses and 20 electric new generation Citea LF-122 buses. The vehicles will be equipped with battery packs with a capacity of 522 kWh (LF-181) and 429 kWh (LF-122) respectively. Furthermore, the new generation Citeas for KVG feature a mirror replacement system, which includes cameras instead of mirrors, and will also be equipped with a pantograph.

Thomas Mau, Head of Operations and Technology / Authorised Officer at KVG Kiel: “We are pleased to take another step in the transformation of our bus fleet with our partner VDL. Once we have taken delivery of the 50 new city buses, more than half of our fleet will consist of battery-powered electric buses and VDL vehicles. These vehicles demonstrate a high technical standard and meet our requirements to the greatest extent possible. Collaboration, both during implementation of this new system and subsequently in the area of after-sales, has been first class in every way and highly cooperative.” Richard van den Dungen, CCO at VDL Bus & Coach, states: “We are very proud that KVG has again chosen VDL Bus & Coach for yet another order of electric city buses. It is a great recognition when a highly respected customer like KVG once again trusts you to deliver the goods. Following our previous deliveries of Citeas SLF and SLFA Electric in 2020, 2021 and 2022, KVG will now get to experience the new generation Citea, which is also ideally matched to their operational requirements with its efficient energy consumption and optimal driving characteristics.”

KVG Kieler Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH and VDL Bus & Coach signed the official contract for the new electric buses in the presence of Kiel’s mayor on 13 September. From July next year until 2025, 50 new electric buses will be delivered to Kiel.

About KVG Kieler Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH
In 2001, Kieler Verkehrsaktiengesellschaft (KVAG), a business steeped in tradition, was transformed into a limited liability company (GmbH) – KVG Kieler Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH. The city of Kiel is a 100 percent shareholder in the owner-operated municipal enterprise of shareholdings as the service provider for local public transport. KVG is a partner in Verkehrsverbund Region Kiel (VRK), which is integrated into the state-wide Schleswig-Holstein(SH) fare system. 38 lines serve 769 bus stops in the city of Kiel every day around the clock and almost 29 million passengers were transported in 2022. This corresponds to more than 11 million bus kilometres on the road in 2022. With more than 782 committed employees – 598 of them are bus drivers – KVG plays an important role as an employer. With comprehensive offerings, all-round service and modern technology, KVG is a reliable partner for local public transport (ÖPNV) in Kiel and around the Kieler Förde.

Media Contact:

Miel Timmers
spokesman VDL Groep
Phone +31 (0)6 14 76 70 66
m.timmers@vdl.nl

SOURCE: VDL BUS & COACH BV