The VDL Bus & Coach Citea range of public transport buses is now also available in an articulated version, the Citea SLFA (Low Floor Articulated). This new model will become available by the end of 2013 in a Euro 6 version in two different lengths: the SLFA-180 with a length of 18 metres and SLFA-187 with a length of 18.75 metres.
The VDL Citea articulated bus will a completely flat floor, can be used both for city and regional transport. Thanks to its innovative lightweight construction, the Citea has a low net weight, according to VDL. As an option, the section behind the turntable can also be fitted a wheelchair platform. During the design of the Citea SLFA considerable attention was given to the flow of passengers to and from the entry and exit doors. The Citea SLFA is available in a 3- or 4-door version.
Key requirements during the development of the Citea SLFA were safety and driveability. Handling and stability have been tested under all possible conditions. The high degree of modularity not only results in a tailored solution for each deployment area but also benefits the operator in many ways, in connection with repairs, maintenance and stocked parts for example. The driveline, front module, and driver's cockpit of the Citea SLFA are identical to those of the standard Citea SLF.
During the 60th UITP Mobility & City Transport Exhibition VDL Bus & Coach presented an electric version of the Citea SLF Low Floor with a length of 12 metres. The ability to choose from various electric drives and battery packages ensures that the most ideal and optimal combination can be selected for every deployment area, without consequences for accessibility, interior layout or comfort, according to VDL.
The Citea Electric is not just another electric bus, says VDL; it offers operators a unique range of possibilities for optimal configuration to match any operational requirements and wishes. The greatest challenge in the development of the VDL Citea Electric lay in finding solutions to fulfil the requirements, needs and wishes of the European market. It was up to the VDL Bus & Coach engineers to combine available technologies to obtain cost-effective operational systems – systems suitable for each specific type of deployment, city and local situation – ultimately resulting
in electric zero-emission buses able to fully meet the demands of regular scheduled service, as VDL claims. The modular system from which the Citea range is built also played a large role in the development of this electric variant. This approach allowed the electric elements to be integrated without compromising the essential Citea features, such as lightweight construction, optimized accessibility and comfort
The variant with a large battery charged via a plug-in connection is most suitable for use over longer distances without interim recharging. This does, however, limit the number of passengers. If the operator opts for a more flexible concept, without consequences for the number of passengers and which is recharged periodically during operation, there are more possibilities. In this case a relatively small battery can be combined with various quick-charging methods, such as induction, trolley or plug-in. For optimum operation the ‘range extender’ can be added, which makes it possible to cover distances of more than 200 km on a single charge. Adding a range extender has no consequences for the number of passengers or the comfort. The VDL Citea Electric offers a range of possibilities, solutions and modules that meet the operational requirements for each local situation. The Citea Electric, which was introduced during the UITP in Geneva, is equipped with wheel hub motors.
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