Van Hool delivers 21 electric trambuses for Malmö to Nobina

Van Hool has signed a contract with Nobina, Scandinavia's largest public transport operator, for the supply of 21 battery-electric bi-articulated buses of type Exqui.City – the 24-meter version. The so-called tram buses will be deployed in Malmo's public transport system starting from mid-2022. These are plug-in vehicles that will be charged at the Nobina depot in the southern Swedish port city.

"Nobina is a new and important reference for Van Hool and a clear testament to the technological preeminence of the company from Koningshooikt. Van Hool is fully committed to 100 percent emission-free applications within its bus range. We are convinced that the various emission-free drive solutions we offer, namely battery, overhead line, and hydrogen, are a good approach to the greening of bus fleets depending on the local application, on which public transport companies worldwide are currently working," explains CEO Filip Van Hool.

As a Belgian independent manufacturer of city and touring buses with customers worldwide, more than 1,200 electric vehicles have now been delivered. The brand's strength lies in its experience with a wide range of complex automotive electric drive techniques, up to purely battery-electric vehicles and the associated charging infrastructure. Jens Råsten, Fleet Manager of the Nobina Group, expressed pride in continuing this path with Skånetrafiken and introducing 24-meter-long, purely electric, emission-free tram buses of the next generation – at the same time the first of their kind in Northern Europe. Råsten believes this will further develop the modern, safe, and sustainable public transport solution in Malmo.

Futuristic Design

The Exqui.City in both 18- and 24-meter versions combines the flexibility of a bus with the efficiency of a tram. The tram buses have a pronounced futuristic design and high comfort with air-conditioning, impressive smooth running, and soft lighting. The low-floor buses facilitate boarding and offer quick access with four double doors. This vehicle type is based on a drive platform that is now 100% emission-free: battery, overhead line, and hydrogen drive. Meanwhile, over 300 Van Hool tram buses are already in operation in 17 cities, mainly in Europe, but also in the French overseas department of Martinique.

About Van Hool

Van Hool is an independent Belgian manufacturer of city and touring buses as well as commercial vehicles. Founded in 1947, the company is headquartered in Koningshooikt, Belgium. The majority of production is destined for Europe and America. Van Hool employs more than 3,300 people worldwide, most of them at the production sites in Koningshooikt and Skopje (North Macedonia).