Grupo Ruiz launched an electric bus pilot in Madrid
Grupo Ruiz, a bus management company, is launching the pilot 12 meters irizar ie tram buses in Madrid, Spain. The irizar ie tram is a 100% electric, zero-emissions bus with the aesthetic attributes of a tram that combines the high capacity, ease of access, and internal circulation of a tram with the flexibility of a city bus. The vehicle is 12 meters long and can accommodate 105 passengers on board, including 4 PRM seats, and 2 wheelchair areas.
The e-bus will be operating on the regular L-1 route along Vereda de los Estudiantes and Barrio de la Fortuna, in the southern area of Madrid. The pilot will be carried out by Empresa Martín, a subsidiary of the Ruiz Group.
In January 2020, European Commission sanctioned €27.5 million to Grupo Ruiz to procure 173 cleaner fuel vehicles as a fleet replacement program. The support helped Grupo Ruiz to replace more polluting diesel buses with 32 electric and 141 compressed natural gas alternatives.
