Within the framework of the Specific Benefit for Zero-Emission Buses 2022-2024 (SpUk-ZEbus), Ebusco acknowledges that tenders for these vehicles should not only consider their environmental friendliness.
On the contrary, they should also be economically efficient throughout their entire lifecycle.
In this regard, Steven van der Burg, Sales Director at Ebusco, comments to Mobility Portal Europe:
“European tenders for public transportation should increasingly take into account not only the upfront cost of electric buses but also factors such as energy consumption and vehicle lifespan.“
In this way, by choosing durable and energy-efficient units, it would help reduce resource usage.
It is worth noting that the SpUk-ZEbus aims to narrow the cost gap between zero-emission buses and conventional diesel ones, with € 40,000,000 allocated for specific benefits.
The Dutch government introduced this plan to support the National Administrative Agreement on Regional Zero-Emission Public Bus Transport (BAZEB), signed in the Netherlands in 2016.
In this agreement, Dutch public transport concession providers agreed that, starting in 2025, all new buses (serving passengers on Dutch streets) would be zero-emission.
To achieve this, 100% renewable energy or fuel will be used, preferably generated locally.
This commitment applies to all buses from the present time until 2030.
Among the participants in the agreement are the Association of Provinces of the Netherlands (IPO), the Amsterdam Transport Region, the Rotterdam and The Hague Metropolitan Region, and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.
On another note, it’s worth mentioning that in the context of the European Green Deal, the European Commission proposes a zero-emission target for new urban buses starting in 2030.
Currently, urban and long-distance buses account for over 6% of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions and more than 25% of road transport emissions.
Regarding European zero-emission regulations, Ebusco ensures: “They have created a significant incentive for the adoption of electric buses, as they align with the emission reduction goals of many European regions and cities.”
Ebusco Unveils e-Bus with Market’s Lowest TCO
Ebusco is dedicated to the development, production and bringing to market of fully electric city and regional buses and the associated ecosystem.
Their primary objective is to provide customers with vehicles with the lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
To meet these standards, the company has launched Ebusco 3.0, a lightweight bus with the lowest TCO in the market.
This vehicle has an extended lifespan of up to 25 years.
On the other hand, it is worth noting that to solidify its position as a significant player in the industry, Ebusco has set the medium-term goal of manufacturing 3,000 buses per year.
Their total manufacturing process covers four phases: composite parts production, casco assembly, vehicle assembly, and pre-delivery inspection/customer IT integration.
Nowadays, Ebusco has more than 300 buses in operation in the Netherlands and around 600 throughout Europe.
“Our vehicles are characterized by their lightweight design, utilization of LFP batteries and exceptionally low battery consumption,” van der Burg details.
Additionally, Ebusco has a presence in the United States and have introduced their first right-hand drive bus on the roads in Australia, expanding their global reach.
Future Ebusco projects
The Ebusco Energy initiative is poised to revolutionize energy storage solutions in the transportation sector, as well as in maritime applications.
The truth is that the company is also involved in a platooning project that redefines the transportation landscape through AI-driven convoy systems.
However, they acknowledge the challenges posed by the traditional industry, where innovations are not always embraced immediately.
“Despite this, our commitment to pushing boundaries and driving transformative change remains unwavering,” concludes van der Burg.
Read more: EU Invests €12 Million in Large-Scale Project for Shared eMobility Services
