Van Hool is introducing what it calls the first 100% battery-electric double-deck coach: the TDX25E. The vehicle provides space for 69 passengers (18 on the lower deck and 51 on the upper deck) and has a range of up to 500 km, depending on the climatological conditions and the route’s topography.

The TDX25E is destined for the U.S. market, where it will be used for comfortable employee commutes and/or regular passenger transport.

Exactly a year ago, Van Hool shipped its first 100% battery electric coach, the CX45E, to the U.S. With 22 units sold, the company is once again demonstrating its innovation based on its vast experience in electrical drive systems. Over the past few decades Van Hool has built more than 1,200 vehicles with an electrical drive system (hydrogen, trolley, battery, and hybrid). Both the CX45E and the brand new TDX25E use electrical components, including a Siemens power train and Proterra batteries.

 “American customers reacted very enthusiastically to the driving experiences with our first battery electric coach, the CX45E. This prompted us to quickly set to work on developing a battery electric double-deck, which has a higher passenger capacity,” said Filip Van Hool, CEO of Van Hool. “Our experience with electrical drive systems in the past, and recently with the CX45E, really helped us with the rapid development and comprehensive testing of the newest Van Hool double-deck, the TDX25E.”