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Van Hool, independent manufacturer of buses, coaches and industrial vehicles, has delivered a first Exqui.City to the city of Malmö (Sweden). In the coming weeks, 15 of these 24-metre hybrid (biogas-electric) tram-buses will be shipped to Malmö via the port of Zeebruges (Belgium). Recently, new orders were placed for Martinique (France – 14 units, 24 metres, diesel-electric hybrid) and Bergen (Norway – 2 units, 24 metres, biogas-electric hybrid).
In the autumn of 2012, Van Hool signed a contract with Nobina, the largest people carrier in Scandinavia, for the delivery of 15 hybrid Exqui. Cities, which will be deployed from June 2014 in Malmö and the Skane region in Sweden for public transport purposes. Van Hool was the first manufacturer to sign a contract in Scandinavia for this type of vehicle, which is sometimes referred to as a “tram-bus”. The hybrid ‘Exqui.City design Malmö’ is a 24-metre double-articulated vehicle with an electric engine, whereby the electricity is generated by a power generator connected to a Euro6 biogas engine.
In addition, recently, orders were placed for Martinique (France) and Bergen (Norway). In the second half of 2015, 14 hybrid (diesel-electric) vehicles will be shipped to Martinique on the French Antilles. In this French overseas territory, the tram-buses will be deployed between Fort-de-France (the capital) and Le Lamentin, a 12.8-km route. Just like in Metz (France), where 27 Exqui.Cities are offering daily services since last October, the vehicle will cover the full route on its own dedicated track. In Bergen (Norway), they opted for two units of the Exqui.City – the 24-metre hybrid version with a biogas-electric engine – which will become operational in the second half of this year.
The Exqui.City combines the flexibility of a bus with the efficiency of a tram. The tram-buses have an outspoken futuristic design and offer a high level of comfort with airconditioning, low noise levels and soft lighting. Accessibility is optimal thanks to a low step and smooth access via the four double doors. This type of vehicle has been constructed with a multiple power platform. This platform makes the Exqui.City, both in the 18-metre and the 24-metre version, a basis for the use of various environmentally friendly power systems, such as trolley buses, hybrid systems, fuel cells or batteries.
With the Exqui.City, available in a 18-metre and a 24-metre version, Van Hool offers a realistic response to the demand for safe, environmentally friendly, efficient and cost-effective urban public transport. For these reasons, cities like Metz, Barcelona, Parma, Genève, Luxemburg, Malmö, Martinique and Bergen have opted for the Exqui.City.