E-MAIL
The bus fleet of the Dutch public transport is becoming environment-friendly at high speed. Meanwhile 60 percent of the 5100 buses large fleet has an emission level according to Euro V and EEV regulations, while the number of diesel-electric hybrid buses with a low CO2 emission is growing.
Of the whole fleet 2820 buses have an emission level according to EEV (Enhanced Environmental-friendly Vehicles), partly achieved with CNG buses, but mainly with diesel buses. The number of Euro II and Euro III buses were strongly reduced in the past few years, while the diesel-electric hybrid technology was launched.
VDL ETraction 2010
Currently under development are some prototypes of citybuses fitted with various forms of electric drive, being constructed under the supervision of the NEMS foundation, whose goal it is to develop a new generation of citybuses fitted with a driveline that combines a low energy use with a high level of environment friendliness.
One of the NEMS projects is retrofitting a VDL Ambassador bus with the e-Traction The Wheel electric drive wheel motors. NEMS is a cooperation between Stadsregio Rotterdam, Rotterdam Climate Initiative, Hogeschool Rotterdam, the Rotterdam public transport company RET, bus manufacturer VDL Bus&Coach, energy supplier ENECO and e-Traction Europe B.V. The foundation aims to develop direct drive technology into an economical rewarding solution for public city transportation. The first citybus converted for the NEMS financed e-Busz project has meanwhile been delivered by e-Traction to the RET, for practical testing.
Being developed in the Netherlands are some additional projects with diesel-electric hybrid buses.