The regional transport authority Île-de-France Mobilités has decided to introduce a new electric Bus Rapid Transit system in the greater Paris area. The consortium Van Hool – Kiepe Electric – Alstom was selected as the supplier. We had already reported on this here.
[The] 24-metre long, bi-articulated Van Hool electric buses will be delivered, powered by Kiepe Electric’s high-power fast-charging batteries which will be charged by Alstom’s conductive ground-based static charging system (SRS). The framework contract includes a minimum of 56 vehicles.
The solution from the Van Hool – Kiepe Electric – Alstom consortium is intended for the T Zen 4 and T Zen 5 high service bus lines in the south of Paris, as well as a third line in option. It will offer passengers a higher level of space, comfort, silence, accessibility, and speed.
Buses that meet strict sustainability criteria and offer a high level of service
The 24-metre long, bi-articulated, 100% electric Exqui.City 24 vehicles built by Van Hool meet high expectations in terms of passenger comfort and ease of operation. The buses will be able to carry approximately 140 passengers each (compared to 70 for a conventional bus and 100 for an 18-metre articulated bus) in optimal conditions of comfort and modernity: space, lighting, air-conditioning, video surveillance, real-time visual and audio passenger information. The vehicles are fully accessible to people with reduced mobility (PRM), thanks to wide sliding doors and low floor, which will make it easier for passengers to get on and off the bus at the station and to move around inside the bus.
Operation is facilitated and optimised by very fast vehicle recharging thanks to Alstom’s conductive ground-based static charging system (SRS) interfaced with an on-board energy system from Kiepe Electric.
