Van Hool to build 15 hybrid “tram-buses” for Malmö

– First order for 15 hybrid Exqui.Citys for Scandinavia.
– First “tram-bus” solution in Scandinavia.
– Confirmation of the commercial success of the Exqui.City abroad: 92 vehicles sold since launch in 2011.

Koningshooikt, Belgium, 8-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ —Van Hool, an independent manufacturer of buses, coaches and industrial vehicles, has signed a contract with Nobina, the largest passenger transport company in Scandinavia, to supply 15 hybrid Exqui.Citys that will be used to carry passengers in Malmö and the Skane region in Sweden from June 2014. Van Hool is the first manufacturer to be awarded a contract for this kind of vehicle in Scandinavia. Sometimes referred to as a “tram-bus” because of its appearance, the hybrid “Exqui.City design Malmö” will be an electrically driven, 24-metre-long, bi-articulated vehicle. Its electricity will be produced by a generator connected to a Euro6 biogas engine. Van Hool has previously been awarded contracts to supply 92 similar models of the Exqui.City in Metz (France), Barcelona (Spain), Parma (Italy) and Geneva (Switzerland), among other places.

Van Hool presented a roadworthy prototype of the Exqui.City at Busworld (the biennial world mecca of buses and coaches) in Kortrijk, Belgium, for the first time exactly one year ago. This new type of vehicle has a multi propulsion platform and this platform means that the Exqui.City, both the 18 m and the 24 m design, can be configured in various, environmental versions such as a trolley, hybrid, fuel cell hybrid or full electric bus.

The Exqui.City combines the flexibility of a bus with the efficiency of a tram. The new “tram-buses” are very futuristic in design and offer a high level of comfort with airconditioning, a low noise level and soft lighting. A low floor and the four double doors guarantee optimal accessibility.

With the Exqui.City Van Hool provides a realistic solution to the demand for safe, environmentally friendly, efficient and cost-conscious urban transport. And it is for this reason that cities such as Metz, Barcelona, Parma, Geneva and now Malmö too have opted for the Exqui.City.

Van Hool is a Belgian independent bus, coach and industrial vehicle manufacturer. The company, established in 1947, is based in Koningshooikt (Belgium). The vast majority of the vehicles produced are destined for Europe and America. Van Hool employs more than 4,000 people worldwide, most of whom work at the manufacturing plants in Koningshooikt and Bree.

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Editors:
For further information please contact Dirk Snauwaert, Public Relations Manager at Van Hool, Bernard Van Hoolstraat 58, 2500 Lier (Koningshooikt) – Belgium.

Tel: +32 (0)3 420 22 12
Mobile: +32 (0)499 555 032
e-mail: dirk.snauwaert@vanhool.be