VDL Bus & Coach wins the prestigious Sustainable Bus of the Year Award 2020 for the Futura FHD2

For a whole year, the Futura FHD2 from VDL Bus & Coach can proudly bear the prestigious title ‘Sustainable Bus of the Year’. The accompanying award - in the coach category - was presented on the evening of Thursday 17 October during the Busworld gala in Brussels. The two other nominees were the Mercedes Tourismo Safety Coach and the Scania Interlink MD LNG.

In its statement, the jury of the Sustainable Bus Award 2020 coach category announced that the award had been assigned to the VDL Futura FHD2 thanks to the 100 kg reduction of the total weight, the frontal kneeling system that activates when the speed is over 95 kmh and the Predictive Powertrain Control.

“Last but not least, the coach by VDL Bus & Coach represents the best application so far of the new driveline composed by the DAF MX-11 (in a renewed version), together with the ZF Traxon transmissions. Thanks to this full package, the 13-metre, two-axle version of the Futura FHD2 has set various fuel consumption records, according to tests drives carried out by several European magazines.” 

Henk Coppens (CEO), Pieter Gerdingh (Business Manager Coach)
and Marcel Jacobs (Commercial Director) from VDL Bus & Coach.

Investing in sustainability
Commercial Director Marcel Jacobs views the prize as an important recognition of the vision of VDL Bus & Coach on sustainability. “In these times of ever growing awareness of environmental issues, it is essential that the bus and coach industry continues to emphasize that coaches are one of the cleanest forms of travel. It is an intrinsic part of the DNA of VDL Bus & Coach that we continue to invest in making all our vehicles as energy efficient as possible. We are duly proud of the Sustainable Bus of the Year Award, and see this as real recognition for the progress we have achieved with our Futura range.” 

The Futura constantly adapts to the latest developments, not only in terms of sustainability but also optimised design and lightweight construction, all of which have a positive effect on reducing fuel consumption. During Busworld, Europe’s largest trade fair for buses and coaches held this year between 18 and 23 October in Brussels, VDL Bus & Coach will be introducing cameras to replace wing side mirrors. This is yet another example of an innovation that contributes to further reducing fuel consumption and in that way ties in with the central theme of the Futura: ‘Profitability has a new name’.

Sustainable Bus Award
The Sustainable Bus Award is the first and only European award that focuses specifically on sustainability in buses and coaches. One of the goals of the award is to place sustainability in a positive spotlight, for the general public. In the jury assessment various aspects play a role including safety, comfort, noise, recyclability of components and the general involvement of the manufacturer in environmental issues.

The overall aim of the Bus Award is to push the boundaries of what has been achieved to date in the bus and coach industry in terms of consumption, emission and value for money. The award was launched in 2016. The international specialist jury includes representatives from seven European countries: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Rumania and Spain.