Flemish public transport operator, De Lijn has placed a 24.2 million EUR order with SPIE-Ekoenergetyka to provide charging stations for its electric buses.
Ann Schoubs, CEO of De Lijn said:Charging infrastructure is a vital part of greening the fleet. By 2035, we want to offer completely emission-free public transport. That is why De Lijn has been purchasing only electric buses for several years. In order to be able to charge these buses, we need to have sufficient electricity and charging points available at our 50 depots. This order for charging stations ensures that we will also be able to charge all e-buses.
The purchase is part of a framework agreement established in November 2023, which allows for the supply of up to 1,600 charging points over eight years. The initial order under this agreement included 403 charging stations from SPIE-Ekoenergetyka and ABB. For this sub-order, De Lijn has selected SPIE-Ekoenergetyka chargers.
The second sub-order includes between 600 and 900 charging stations, with power capacities ranging from 50 kW to 180 kW. Deployment at depots will align with De Lijn’s fleet electrification schedule.
Funding for the procurement is supplied by the Flemish government.
Annick De Ridder, Minister of Mobility, Public Works, Ports and Sport said:If we want to contribute to better air quality through public transport, De Lijn must also invest in the necessary charging infrastructure for e-buses. We are pleased that we can offer 24.2 million euros from the Flemish government to also be able to carry out the less visible investments.
The original framework agreement permits additional sub-orders following a mini-competition between the two suppliers, with each round awarded to a single provider.
Pascal Lekeu, Managing Director of SPIE Belgium said:We are proud to continue to make an active contribution to the electrification of buses in Belgium and to the trust that De Lijn has shown in us with this order. The decarbonisation of public transport is one of the major challenges in building a more sustainable world and is one of our priorities within our Infrastructure division.
