8 sustainable alterations to depots
Our e-buses require us to convert our depots so we can charge the buses overnight. A conversion of this type takes years. During this period, we are making a lot of extra choices for instant energy-efficiency!
The biggest challenge: converting depots
Switching to e-buses involves much more than just purchasing the vehicles. The real challenge lies in converting our depots and constructing new depots with the installation of charging infrastructure and the integration of processes and IT systems.This represents a long-term investment of 3.9 to 5.2 billion euros, depending on the extent of the conversion work at the depots.
E-bus in depot
What needs to be done?
Because buses are mainly charged overnight, there is more to it than just installing a few charging stations. The experience of other public transport operators in Europe shows that converting a depot or constructing a new depot can take up to seven years.
But the good thing is that during the conversion we can also apply loads of other sustainable measures. We are opting for energy efficiency and alternative energy sources and using natural resources responsibly. We are also constantly scanning the market for new measures that meet all energy standards and environmental requirements.
Borehole energy storage fields: these ground-coupled heat pumps extract energy from the earth. Depending on what is needed, they then send warm or cold air through the buildings.
Green roofs: with sedum plants as a vegetation layer, these roofs provide cooling, promote biodiversity and improve air quality.
Green roofs
Fuelling lanes: with a liquid-tight floor and an underground tank. This prevents fuels and other harmful substances from seeping into the ground.
Bus parking areas: with liquid-tight concrete surfacing to prevent seepage.
Energy production: 25% of the energy for the depots comes from renewable energy sources such as solar panels and heat pumps.
Solar panels
Rainwater recovery: rainwater is stored in wells and buffer basins.
Washing installations: at our new depots we biologically purify the water from vehicle washing and recycle 90% of it. We recycle about 60% of the water at existing depots – but we are working towards 90%, among other things by introducing bio-installations in these depots as well.
Washing installations
Water consumption: we measure and report the total water consumption at many of our depots. We are expanding this to all depots and office buildings.