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Unlike Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels do not buy electric buses from China
This Thursday the company announced that it would acquire 92 electric buses for 43 million euros. A purchase that is part of the desire to electrify the fleet like other companies. The focus is not on the vehicle, but on the manufacturer. This purchase of De Lijn is actually a deal with the Chinese manufacturer BYD, which, as a reminder, has just taken over Tesla’s position as the largest electric vehicle manufacturer.
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A choice that is heavily criticized north of the language border. A “disgrace,” denounced China expert Jonathan Holslag. “BYD is a typical case of a company that is heavily supported by the Chinese government, which leads to a distortion of competition,” he told VRT. “Chinese buses are cheaper to order, but we are distorting the market.”
“Green purchases from China are weakening our country,” complained economist Geert Noels. “The electric buses from Van Hool (Belgian manufacturer, editor’s note) weren’t cheap enough, or what? Why doesn’t Flanders promote its own technology?” asks political scientist David Criekemans (University of Antwerp).
Chinese buses but built in Hungary
De Lijn orders 92 electric buses from a Chinese manufacturer
These buses are scheduled to be delivered in Hungary in 2025 after assembly. Choice was also criticized. “There are 3,000 Belgian bus manufacturers ready to provide the latest environmentally friendly technology, but De Lijn is again choosing to have its buses produced abroad,” criticizes MP Jos D’Haese (PVDA).
So far, De Lijn has ordered electric vehicles from Van Hool (Belgium), VDL (Netherlands) and Iveco (Italy). The awarding of the market to BYD therefore marks a turning point. More are to be added to this new Chinese order of 92 vehicles. De Lijn’s framework agreement provides for the possibility of purchasing 500 buses from BYD Europe.
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A first in Belgium
While BYD vehicles are very present elsewhere in Europe, this purchase of electric buses from China is a first in our country. In fact, the Stib in Brussels has several brands of electric vehicles, “but no Chinese ones”. The same as Tec. “So far no association with Chinese companies,” they confirm to us in Wallonia.
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