Brussels public transport operator MIVB/STIB has ordered 36 electric buses from German manufacturer Daimler Buses. The order is part of a framework agreement for up to 80 standard low-floor buses. The first eCitaro-bus from that order should enter the fleet in early 2026. A new order for 14 additional articulated e-buses is also planned soon.

Earlier, MIVB-STIB concluded a framework contract with Evokes, the bus division of Daimler Buses, for up to 70 longer articulated e-buses. In March, the company placed an initial order for 56 buses.

Due to LEZ, diesel buses must go

The integral production of the eCitaro takes place in Germany and Turkey, and chassis production in Spain and Brazil. Flemish bus builders VDL Bus Roeselare and Van Hool were candidates for the order, too, but thus missed out.

The first vehicle from that order should arrive in Brussels early next year, although the first phase will involve testing and using the car to train MIVB/STIB drivers. The following 55 are due before the summer. Those buses will replace Euro 5 diesel buses, which will no longer be allowed to operate in the low-emission zone (LEZ) from 2025.

Conversion of depots

As the buses are of the “opportunity charging” type, meaning their batteries charge at night and the terminus during the day, the depots also need to be adapted, and charging points on the network are required. The first adaptation works are planned for early next year. The ordered buses will be charged at a depot in Neder-Over-Heembeek and run on the lines served from this depot (56, 58, 83, etc.).

The MIVB/STIB network currently has 37 all-electric buses: 7 midi buses, 5 standard buses, and 25 articulated buses. These run partly on lines 1 and 37 and entirely on 33 and 64. Four more will follow soon: lines 46 (Pannenhuis-Moortebeek), 53 (Military Hospital – Westland Shopping Center), 87 (Simonis-Beekkant), and 89 (Central Station – Westland Shopping Center).

In addition, MIVB/STIB is also considering deploying hydrogen buses on the network. Feedback on vehicle testing currently underway is mainly positive.

Some 869 MIVB/STIB buses pass through the streets of Brussels every day. The transport company aims to have its entire bus fleet electrified or greened by 2035.

E-bus sales up steeply

In general, e-bus adoption in public transport urban fleets is growing worldwide. Last year, the e-bus market in Europe grew by 26%, up to 4 152 units registered. Figures for the first half of 2023 are also promising, with 2 567 battery-electric buses registered, or a growth of 45%.

The top e-bus sellers in Europe are VDL, BYD-ADL, Yutong, Mercedes eCitaro, Iveco Bus, and MAN.