History
The origins of the “empoweringMobility” program date back to 2009. Alternative motorisations were increasingly being discussed at that time. Hybrid technology became the transitional technology before the all-electric revolution.
In 2009, Voyages Emile Weber ordered two bi-articulated hybrid buses from the Swiss manufacturer Hess. These 25-metre-long buses were used for Luxembourg City’s line 16 between the airport and Hesperange.
One year later, the company commissioned two standard hybrid buses (12 metres long) by Volvo, which are mainly used on the RGTR (Régime Général des Transport Routiers) network routes.
The new WEBTAXI service set off on the sustainable development route with its “cleaner & cheaper” slogan. In addition to its clear and transparent pricing, it was mainly about the ten eye-catching orange-coloured hybrid Toyota Prius type vehicles. Today, WEBTAXI has over 74 hybrid taxis and 38 electric taxis.
The next stage started in January 2015, with a world first. Voyages Emile Weber presented its UREVO project (for Urban Revolution) and commissioned three bi-articulated “plug-in hybrid” type buses. Once again, the manufacturer Hess made these vehicles, whilst the electrical components came from Vossloh-Kiepe. The technological revolution resided in the fact that these vehicles were fitted with an intelligent energy management system which allowed the buses to go through Luxembourg City in 100% electric mode. The system was programmed in advance for the AVL line 16 (Luxembourg City Bus) in a way that the diesel generator mounted onboard the vehicle would switch off as soon as the bus went into the city centre. The generator would then come back on again once it left the centre to recharge the batteries whilst the bus continued its journey in regeneration mode. The batteries were placed on the roof and were split into two packs totalling 800 kg per bus. Furthermore, the vehicles can be charged during the night with a charging cable in the Canach depot.
In July 2015, WEBTAXI welcomed two 100% electric taxis to its fleet – the first electric taxis in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. These vehicles (model e6) were built by the Chinese manufacturer BYD (Build Your Dreams) and had (at that time) a capacity of 250 kilometres.
In May 2017, it was the turn of Voyages Emile Weber’s call-a-bus service to be electrified to become Luxembourg’s first 100% electric call-a-bus service. A “midbasic” vehicle was ordered for the “Mamer Ruffbus” from the Dutch manufacturer VDL. This minibus had a battery life of 250 kilometres and a 140kW-engine. The VDL Midbasic was built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis and could accommodate up to 8 people. From this point on, all the Voyages Emile Weber call-a-bus services were operated with electric vehicles.
In 2018, two major projects were completed. On 8th February, the RGTR 305 line that links Bettembourg to Dudelange was electrified. This event was celebrated in the presence of François Bausch, Minister of Sustainable Development and Infrastructures.
Seven VDL Citea LLE-99 Electric buses were bought for these routes. The vehicles are recharged at the Bettembourg depot at Autocars Pletschette’s Headoffice, which belongs to the Voyages Emile Weber Group. More than 700,000 Euros were invested in the recharging infrastructures. The vehicles can be recharged via an Overnight Charging cable, as well as by pantograph (“Opportunity Charging”).
In terms of graphism, Voyages Emile Weber’s electric buses sport an eye-catching white lightning flash on the front of the vehicles.
In terms of politics the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Infrastructures has set itself the objective to fully decarbonise its RGTR network by 2030.
On 28 June 2018, a whole operating depot in Bissen was built and inaugurated by Voyages Emile Weber for Voyages Ecker in addition to its electric buses. With the slogan “Electrification continues with line 290,” the opening ceremony marked the kick-off of the electrification of the RGTR line 290 which links Mersch to the capital. 6 standard Irizar type buses with a battery life of 200 kilometres were commissioned for this route. These vehicles are recharged by cable overnight.
The first 100% electric school bus service was commissioned for the Municipality of Bissen at the start of the 2018 school year. After a very successful test period this project continued and was officially presented on 31 January 2019. Voyages Emile Weber ordered an ICE 12 type electric bus for this service from the Chinese manufacturer Yutong. It has a battery life of 200 kilometres and may be recharged via an Overnight Charging cable in Voyages Ecker’s new depot in Bissen. The required electricity comes from renewable energy sources.