The signing of a contract between passenger transport company KVB (Kolner Verkehrs-Betriebe) and VDL Bus & Coach on Friday, 11 July 2014, was the starting shot for the construction of eight electric articulated VDL buses. Unique to these electric articulated buses is the fact that they operate without overhead electric cables. KVB is one of the first companies in Germany to introduce electric mobility for an entire bus route. VDL Bus & Coach is particularly proud to have received the order to develop and produce a new bus version that meets all of KVB's requirements. The jumping-off points are the VDL Citea SLFA, an articulated bus with a length of 18 metres, and the Citea Electric, which offers the most ideal solution for every deployment. In total, eight electric articulated buses will be built with an updated, futuristic BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) design. The test phases for the first electric articulated buses will begin in the summer and autumn of 2015. The VDL Citea SLFA Electric with its futuristic appearance will be a striking presence in the Cologne cityscape.
Public transport in Cologne
Electric mobility is an important development in public transport. Metropolitan electric bus transport contributes to a cleaner environment, lower energy consumption and a quieter and healthier environment. KVB sees plenty of opportunities for the future of electric mobility and mainly focuses on zero emission public transport with a large passenger capacity.
The VDL Citea SLFA Electric is an electric articulated bus that runs entirely on electricity without any aids. This means that unlike hybrid buses it requires no diesel engine and unlike trolleys it needs no pantograph to continuously supply it with power. The VDL Citea SLFA Electric admittedly has a pantograph, but it is only used for a brief charge at the end of each run. When the bus makes contact with the charging station at the final stop, the battery charge level is first measured and then the required charge is added, quickly yet intensely. The batteries are fully charged every night.
VDL Citea SLFA Electric
The new, innovative VDL Citea SLFA Electric combines the best features of the Citea Electric and the articulated Citea SLFA. The modular system from which the Citea range is built will play a major role in the development of this electric variant. This will allow easy integration of the electric components without compromising the essential Citea qualities, such as lightweight construction, optimum accessibility and comfort. An aspect that is beneficial to both comfort and the environment is the fact that the VDL Citea Electric is very quiet, both inside and outside the bus.
The VDL Citea articulated, with its completely flat floor, is ideal for the transport of large numbers of passengers. The low floor construction makes it exceptionally easy to enter the bus and offers optimal access, for travellers with a baby buggy or wheelchair for example. This applies both to the front section of the bus and the section 'behind the bellows'. During the design of the Citea SLFA considerable attention was given to the flow of passengers from the entry door and to the exit
doors. Harmoniously matched colours give the bus a very spacious feeling. The cantilever seat design (free-hanging seats) ensures plenty of leg room and therefore optimal sitting comfort. Since the entire floor is free of obstacles, the buses are easy to clean.
BRT design
The new, special 'BRT' design gives the Citea SLFA Electric a futuristic look and feel. This manifests itself, in particular, in the rearward leaning windscreen and the characteristic roof line. Destination signs are integrated into the windscreen, rear window and side windows. The entry door is extra wide to facilitate entry and egress and promote passenger flow here too. The wheel covers on the 2nd and 3rd axles complete the attractive appearance of this new Citea variant.
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