Paris has confirmed the incorporation of zero and low-emission vehicles for public transportation, which will begin operating this year.
Among the companies contributing to the increase in green fleets of heavy vehicles are Alstom, bluebus, Temsa, Toyota, UNVI, and Van Hool.
Currently, France has the third-largest fleet of electric buses in Europe, with a total of 2,360 units.
Only behind Germany, which has 3,300 vehicles, and Italy, which has 2,700.
Looking ahead, the numbers for electric public transportation have a projection of high and continuous expansion.
Indeed, recently, members of the Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional political agreement on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles (HDV).
The proposed amendment sets an interim target of 90 percent for urban buses by 2030 and a final target of 100 percent zero emissions for these vehicles by 2035.
This legislation ensures the growth of green fleets within public transportation systems. However, it is worth noting that a final vote by the European Parliament and the Council is still pending to become an official regulation.
Below, Mobility Portal Europe presents the plans of the companies that have already announced their presence in Paris.
Alstom
Recently, a new tram division started operating in the capital of the French country.
The T12 Express, the latest tram-train line of Greater Paris, connecting Massy-Palaiseau to Évry-Courcouronnes in 39 minutes, entered service on December 10, 2023.
This involves the relocation of the 25 units of Alstom Citadis Dualis, SNCF U 52,600 series, now assigned to the new Massy depot.
The new line has a length of 20.4 kilometers and passes through 13 municipalities in the Essonne department.
Bluebus
A few days ago, the Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP) announced that the Bluebus electric buses will be back in service next summer, after the withdrawal of 148 units from service in the spring of 2022.
Each 12-meter unit of this fleet is equipped with six “solid-state” LMP (Lithium Metal Polymer) battery packs, providing up to 320 kilometers drive.
The name of the series is Bluebus 5se and can carry up to 109 passengers.
TEMSA
TEMSA is among the leading bus manufacturers globally, offering ten different models. The company, a subsidiary of the French BE Green, signed a new sales agreement with its operator in early January.
As part of the agreement, eight electric buses of the LD SB E model will be delivered to the local branch.
These units will be used for transporting spectators within the city in preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Toyota and CGK
In the context of the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games in the French capital, Toyota is stepping up.
The company will supply hydrogen fuel cell modules to GCK, a group of companies providing technological solutions to accelerate the decarbonization of transportation.
These modules will be used to convert ten used Iveco buses into zero-emission electric vehicles.
The adapted units will be deployed during the sporting event and later continue to serve public and private customers within the Île-de-France region.
UNVI
Tootbus, a subsidiary of RATP, is planning a comprehensive strategy for the addition of new fleets in the city.
The operator in the French capital aims to add three entirely new electric buses and retrofit one of its buses with electric technology from the Spanish manufacturer UNVI, all set to join the fleet by the summer of 2024.
Van Hool
In October 2023, Van Hool unveiled its 24-meter double-articulated electric bus model, commissioned by Île-de-France Mobilités for operations in the French capital.
This model features high-power fast-charging batteries from Kiepe Electric, recharged through Alstom-supplied ground-based static charging (SRS).
Each bus can accommodate up to 140 passengers.
Its primary goal will be to provide efficient transport services during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Read More: “Van Hool to build 166 electric buses for Qbuzz in the Netherlands”
