Flanders Reaches 1,000 Electric Buses Milestone as De Lijn Accelerates Fleet Electrification

Breaking: 1,000th Electric Bus Enters Service in Flanders

The Flanders transport agency De Lijn has commissioned its 1,000th electric bus, marking a major milestone in Belgium's shift to zero-emission public transit.

The agency expects to deploy hundreds more battery-powered coaches in the coming years, officials confirmed Tuesday.

"This is a transformative step for sustainable mobility in the region," said Marie Van Den Berg, De Lijn’s director of fleet operations. "Our goal is a fully electric fleet by 2035."

Background

The 1,000th bus is part of De Lijn’s long-term electrification plan, which began with pilot programs in 2018. Since then, the agency has installed over 400 charging points across Flanders.

Each electric bus reduces CO₂ emissions by an estimated 60 tons per year compared to its diesel counterpart, according to De Lijn’s environmental impact report. The new bus will operate on routes in Antwerp and Ghent.

"The speed of adoption has been remarkable," said Dr. Lukas Peeters, a transport analyst at the University of Leuven. "Flanders is setting an example for other European regions."

What This Means

The milestone signals that large-scale electric public transport is no longer a pilot project—it is a working reality. For commuters, it means quieter, cleaner rides and improved air quality.

For policymakers, it provides proof that grid integration and charging infrastructure can keep pace with rapid fleet expansion. "We’ve overcome the initial challenges," Van Den Berg added. "Now it’s about scaling up operations efficiently."

De Lijn aims to reach 1,500 electric buses by 2026 and completely phase out diesel by 2035. The agency is also testing autonomous electric shuttles for last-mile connections.

Transport experts from Belgium’s Mobility Innovation Lab called the 1,000-bus threshold a "psychological breakthrough" that will accelerate investment in charging networks and renewable energy sourcing.

"This isn’t just a number—it’s proof that electric buses are both viable and affordable at scale," Peeters said. "Other cities should pay attention."

De Lijn currently operates more than 2,200 buses overall, meaning nearly half its fleet is now electric. The remaining diesel buses are being retired as new electric models arrive.

Passengers can expect further route expansions and faster charging times as De Lijn rolls out next-generation 450kW chargers later this year.

For more details on De Lijn’s electrification roadmap, see the Background section above.