STIB presses ahead with electrification: E+Drive to build smart charging stations for service vehicles of the Brussels public transport company over the next six years

STIB has awarded a framework contract for the installation of smart charging stations to E+Drive, which develops charging solutions for electric vehicles. The Flemish Brabant-based company will, together with PLUON, its Limburg partner for sustainable and smart charging infrastructure, install charging stations over the next six years for the service vehicles of the Brussels public transport company and help balance the associated energy consumption. With this contract, STIB takes a further step in its plan to replace all its diesel vehicles by 2030.

From 2030, vehicles with diesel engines will no longer be allowed in Brussels. In 2035, vehicles with petrol and LPG engines will follow. The STIB-MIVB is therefore accelerating the electrification of its fleet of service vehicles, thereby helping to reduce air pollution in the capital. E+Drive and PLUON are now supporting the Brussels transport company in its move towards a cleaner vehicle fleet.

“This tender is part of our roadmap to replace all our combustion-engine vehicles by 2030 and thus comply with the new Brussels regulations”, says the STIB-MIVB. “The roll-out of this charging infrastructure for our service vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes allows us to charge our electric works vans and utility vehicles at our sites across the capital, while our staff can also top up their electric cars at the new charging stations.”

For the charging infrastructure of its service vehicles, the STIB-MIVB has opted for a fully Belgian partnership. The collaboration with E+Drive, based in Flemish Brabant, and its Limburg partner PLUON has got off to a flying start. The first nine charging stations have been installed and commissioned at various STIB-MIVB sites in the Brussels-Capital Region. E+Drive is responsible for the roll-out, configuration, operation and maintenance of the charging infrastructure developed by PLUON.

Alain Van den Broeck, General Manager of E+Drive, is looking forward to the collaboration: “Together with the smart energy management software of our partner PLUON, our charging stations ensure that the STIB-MIVB can confidently expand its electric fleet over the coming years. The growing number of e-vehicles will not put pressure on its electricity grid or saddle it with higher electricity costs. Charging will not trigger peak tariffs – we take care of that.”

Rudy Bonten, General Manager of PLUON, is also enthusiastic: “This project marks a new milestone in our mission to contribute to the energy transition in Belgium. The collaboration with E+Drive gives us the opportunity to deploy our innovative charging solutions for one of the most important players in public transport in Belgium.”

PLUON, E+Drive and STIB wish to take this opportunity to thank Pascal Hermans, former General Manager of PLUON, for his indispensable role in this project, and above all to wish him a well-deserved and relaxing retirement.

STIB is the largest urban public transport company in Belgium. It serves the 19 municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region and 11 surrounding municipalities, covering an area of 241.5 km². STIB provides transport for more than 1.2 million residents and thousands of commuters. The STIB network comprises 4 metro lines, 19 tram lines, 52 bus lines, 11 night buses and a transport service for people with disabilities.

E+Drive is a Belgian company specialising in the development, installation and operation of charging solutions for electric vehicles. The company offers tailored solutions for EV charging with scalable, secure and smart systems, focused on minimal TCO and an optimal user experience.
More information can be found at www.eplusdrive.com.

PLUON is an innovative Belgian player in the market for smart charging technologies for electric vehicles. The company places the emphasis on circular and user-friendly charging solutions, supported by future-oriented designs.
For more information, visit www.pluon.eu.

Laurent Vermeersch
Spokesperson STIB
laurent.vermeersch@mivb.brussels

Alain Van den Broeck
General Manager @ E+Drive
a.vandenbroeck@eplusdrive.com

Rudy Bonten
General Manager @ PLUON
rudy.bonten@pluon.eu