Silent and without exhaust fumes. This increasingly applies to the bus that drives through the street. The Netherlands leads the way in Europe in terms of clean buses, and wants to have all buses in public transport clean by 2030. These buses are cheaper to use, but require an investment up front. That is why the cabinet is allocating 40 million euros for new clean buses. State Secretary Van Veldhoven (Infrastructure and Water Management) announced this today. This fulfills the next agreement in the climate agreement.

“There are now more than 1000 clean buses in our country. The joint ambition is to drive completely clean by 2030. That is really something to be proud of. But you also see that many public transport parties are currently struggling with the necessary investments due to the effects of corona. It is therefore extra important that it is agreed in the climate agreement that the government will support this development. Because quieter and emission-free buses are nice for the traveler, the driver and for local residents with cleaner air and less noise.”

More clean bus kilometers

From January 1, 2022, the fourteen provinces and city regions responsible for bus transport can submit plans for more clean bus kilometers. When purchasing an electric bus or bus that runs on hydrogen, they can receive a subsidy of up to fifty thousand euros per bus, depending on the type of bus and size. The condition is that at least 45.000 diesel kilometers per bus are exchanged for clean kilometers. This will make the entire bus fleet cleaner. Plans can also be submitted during an ongoing bus concession. That's great, because now clean buses are often put into use, especially when entering into a new concession.

“This arrangement is really going to make a difference for us. Emission-free buses are economical to use and maintain, but more expensive to purchase. This helps to choose to invest in clean. Very well".

Good for climate, export and jobs

The total fleet of public transport buses in the Netherlands currently emits approximately 0,3 megatonnes of CO2 per year. That is quickly declining with the arrival of the clean buses. About a quarter of the 5.300 buses in city and regional transport are now emission-free, making the Netherlands a leader in Europe. More than half of those clean buses are of Dutch origin. The profit is also in our wallets. Earlier this year it was announced that the Netherlands earns about 5 billion a year from the sale of clean vehicles and the operation of charging stations at home and abroad.

On track to be completely emission-free

It is the joint ambition of government and sector to grow towards 100% emission-free buses in public transport by 2030. This is also laid down in the climate agreement. It has been agreed that the central government will contribute to the transition to clean. This arrangement gives substance to that agreement. The scheme will run until 2024. It is expected that around 800-1600 emission-free buses will be added in the coming years. National government.

Also read: Solution needed for bicycle transport and NS bus

 

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