Electromobility, is now a reality for IVECO BUS and its factory based in Rorthais (France). The site has just completed its 500th bus, all models included. The 500th unit produced by the Rorthais site is a 12-meter E-WAY bus operated by Keolis Pays d'Aix on the Aix-Marseille-Provence metropolitan area network. It is part of an order for 46 vehicles to be delivered from now on till the end of 2024.
Vénissieux, September 24, 2021
Right from its launch, the new IVECO E-WAY by Heuliez range convinced public transport operators willing to switch to electromobility. The 12-meter version has been the best-seller in France in 2020, confirming IVECO FRANCE's leadership in electric buses with 45.8% of registrations in.in the country.
The E-WAY models have been elected by many transport companies and public authorities. They are in operation in a number of public transport networks in France, Norway, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Austria and Germany. Altogether they have already travelled over 13 million kms.
The 500th E-WAY, branded GX ELEC in France, will be used in the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolitan Area. It is equipped with Lithium-ion NMC batteries that can be recharged at night to run a full day. These buses meet perfectly the expectations of Keolis and the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolitan Authority in their efforts to promote energy transition. They deliver major environmental benefits, with zero pollution and a completely silent operation.
This 500th bus highlights the key role played by the IVECO BUS plant in the development of a European electric-bus industry. This plant has been producing hybrid-electric vehicles and trolleybuses for over 20 years. A proof of its unique know-how in zero emission vehicles.
“The production of the 500th E-WAY is a milestone for us. Our plant is a true centre of excellence in electromobility. It’s a key component of our ongoing development of a sustainable public transport system", said Stéphane Espinasse, President of IVECO France. "Thanks to its comprehensive and unique bus portfolio, the E-WAY range can meet all the operators' needs."
About Métropole Aix-Marseille-Provence
The Métropole Aix-Marseille-Provence is rolling out its mobility roadmap across all of the 92 municipalities in its territory. After operating lebus + aixpress, 100% electric in September 2019 in Aix-en-Provence, then validation by bank card in January 2020, the improvement of the passenger experience continues throughout the network. Establishment of multimodal hubs, modernization and automation of the metro and extension of the tramway in Marseille, development of BRT bus lines, conversion of the fleet to clean energies to improve air quality. The Metropolis wishes to bring together places of life and employment territories in a perimeter made up of very dense urban spaces, rural areas and protected natural sites.
About Keolis Pays d’Aix
A subsidiary of the Keolis group, Keolis Pays d'Aix provides urban passenger transport on behalf of the Métropole Aix-Marseille-Provence on the perimeter of Aix en Provence, Venelles, Le Tholonet and Saint Marc Jaumegarde.
A pioneer in the development of public transport, Keolis is the partner of public decision-makers who wish to make shared mobility a lever of attractiveness and vitality for their territory. Number 1 in the operation of automatic metro and tramways in the world, Keolis relies on a policy of sustained and open innovation with all of its partners and subsidiaries - Kisio, EFFIA, Keolis Santé, Cykleo - to strengthen its core business and develop new innovative and “tailor-made” shared mobility offers: trains, buses and coaches, trolley buses, collective VTCs, river and sea shuttles, self-service bicycles, car sharing, 100% electric autonomous shuttle, Urban cable car ... In France, Keolis is number 2 in parking thanks to its subsidiary EFFIA and number 1 in medical transport since the creation of Keolis Santé in July 2017.
70% owned by SNCF and 30% by Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec (CDPQ), the Group has 68,500 employees in 15 countries and achieved, in 2020, sales of 6.1 billion euros. In 2019, 3.4 billion travelers used a shared mobility service offered by Keolis.
* Keolis is historically present in France and has developed in Germany, Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Qatar, the United States, India, Norway, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Senegal and Sweden.
