cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/65028455
Dutch public transport operator Qbuzz has signed a second order with Chinese manufacturer Yutong for 62 new electric buses. The move follows the deployment of 50 Yutong electric buses in the Zuid-Holland Noord concession, which began operations in December 2024. These were the first Yutong vehicles to enter service in the Netherlands, as they replaced cancelled orders for the bankrupt Van Hool.
In its press note, Qbuzz uses sharp words in direction of European OEMs: “Qbuzz has experienced that European bus manufacturers face challenges in the delivery of zero-emission equipment” reads the press release. The operator mentions delivery problems had with Iveco in addition to the quite known issues of Belgian Van Hool, having the consequence that “the delivery of 112 electric buses was cancelled. As a solution, Yutong produced and delivered 50 electric buses within six months, which perform well both technically and operationally”.
Buses are ideal e-vehicles and should replace ICEs sooner.
Maybe just not Chinese ones.
Why not?
Because there are a lot of great electric bus manufacturers in Europe known intermationally. Irizar (🇪🇸), Solaris (🇵🇱), Van Hool (🇧🇪), Mercedes (🇩🇪), Volvo (🇸🇪), Castrosua (🇪🇸), MAN (🇩🇪), Iveco (🇮🇹) just to name a few.
They apparently went with European companies first, but unfortunately it appears it didn’t work out:
The move follows the deployment of 50 Yutong electric buses in the Zuid-Holland Noord concession, which began operations in December 2024. These were the first Yutong vehicles to enter service in the Netherlands, as they replaced cancelled orders for the bankrupt Van Hool.
In its press note, Qbuzz uses sharp words in direction of European OEMs: “Qbuzz has experienced that European bus manufacturers face challenges in the delivery of zero-emission equipment” reads the press release. The operator mentions delivery problems had with Iveco in addition to the quite known issues of Belgian Van Hool, having the consequence that “the delivery of 112 electric buses was cancelled. As a solution, Yutong produced and delivered 50 electric buses within six months, which perform well both technically and operationally”.
There was also a case by another Dutch bus company over an order of busses at Ebusco (🇳🇱) because of delayed delivery iirc.
That’d be even better. But I guess it’s buy the cheapest because taxpayer money or something.
Trains are so much more comfortable, buses are more flexible and suited for rural areas not for long distances. But I guess the biggest difference is capacity, if you can only fill a few busses a day it wouldn’t make sense to have a rail connection instead.
Yes, trains are better if viable. However, if we have to use buses, then it’s better to have e ones. The sooner, the better.
Totally agree, I think I misunderstood you because for me ICEs (intercity express) are the high-speed trains in germany; guess you meant something else
Ah, yes :). ICE in this context usually refers to internal combustion engine.
I never saw it mean that before, but I’m not a native speaker and I agree they need to go asap :)