First VDL Citea Electric for France in operation in Orléans
By Jim Gibbins - 1st May 2019
The Netherlands / France - The first VDL Citea SLFA-180 Electric has entered service in Orléans, France, and is operated by Keolis Métropole Orléans. The articulated electric bus is to operate on various busy lines in the city - allowing Keolis to gain experience with electric bus concepts. VDL Bus & Coach acted as the system supplier and is also responsible for the installation, implementation and maintenance of the charging station.
The VDL Citea SLFA-180 Electric is equipped with a 169kWh battery pack. Using a rapid charging concept, the e-bus can be fully charged in 35 minutes via a pantograph with a Heliox 300kW rapid charger. This is done at the depot in Saint Jean de Braye. This rapid charging concept gives the articulated VDL Citea Electric high operational availability, making the e-bus available almost for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with the exception of brief interim charging periods. After a charging session the bus can operate for more than 100 kilometres.
