De Lijn orders € 24.2 worth of charging stations from SPIE-Ekoenergetyka. This order is an important step as the Flemish public transport operator works towards fully emission-free public transport by 2035.
The order is part of the framework agreement of November 2023, which provides for a maximum of 1,600 charging points over a period of 8 years. De Lijn initially ordered 403 charging stations from SPIE-Ekoenergetyka and one more supplier. The framework agreement stipulated that additional orders with a single supplier would follow a mini-competition between SPIE-Ekoenergetyka and the second entity. Ultimately, De Lijn entrusted this second order to SPIE-Ekoenergetyka.
"Charging infrastructure is a key element in our transformation towards zero-emission solutions," says Ann Schoubs, director-general of De Lijn. "By 2035, we aim to offer fully emission-free public transport. That’s why De Lijn has been purchasing only electric buses for several years. To charge these buses, we need to ensure we have sufficient electricity and charging points at our 50 depots. This order for charging stations will help ensure that all electric buses can be charged."
Specifically, the second order includes a purchase of 600 to 900 charging stations, ranging from 50 to 180 kW. The allocation of charging stations to each depot will depend on the electrification process at those depots.
“We are proud to continue contributing to the electrification of buses in Belgium and appreciate the trust that De Lijn has placed in us with this order. The decarbonisation of public transport is one of the key challenges in building a more sustainable world and is one of our priorities within our Infrastructure division,” says Pascal Lekeu, Managing Director of SPIE Belgium.