Airports

Nice Côte D’azur Becomes the First Airport in France to Equip Itself With 100% Electric Passenger Shuttles

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Nice Côte d’Azur announces the signing of a contract with Transdev Alpes-Maritimes , accompanied by the South Region and the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis. The commissioning of these buses eCitaro Mercedes take place on November 28. This development is a continuation of its many actions that have enabled the airport to become the first in France to achieve Carbon Neutrality and its commitment to reach the threshold of  zero CO2 emissions by 2030

By choosing 100% electric and driving Transdev Alpes-Maritimes, the airport is strengthening its soft mobility offer, reduced by 250 tonnes eq. CO2 emissions of greenhouse gases generated on the entire platform and significantly reduces noise .

Following the December 2018 commissioning of the extension of the tramway network to the terminals, it is a pride to become the first airport in France to offer free 100% electric shuttles to our passengers, their our collaborators. This joins innovation and strengthens our policy of preserving our territory and develop its attractiveness” , welcomes Dominique Thillaud, CEO of Airports of the French Riviera .

The tipping of its 100% electric fleet is indeed part of a voluntarist and ambitious policy of preservation of the environment. In 2016, the airport had already achieved Level 3+ certification, the highest, of the Airport Carbon Accreditation program, qualifying its carbon neutrality. This certification was obtained two years later by the two other airport platforms managed by the Group, making it the only 100% carbon neutral airport manager in France. Finally, the Group committed to achieving the goal of zero CO2 emissions without compensation by 2030 .

These 12-meter shuttles will accommodate around 90 people and will have 26 seats with leather headrest, low bay windows (synonymous with open spaces), athermic windows, and blue interior lighting (for a soothing atmosphere reminiscent of the proximity of the Mediterranean). Passengers will also have 4 USB ports in the vehicles. Because the exceptional is also measured with minute details, a perfume diffuser will be triggered each time the doors are opened. Ergonomic, quiet, comfortable and eco-responsible, the eCitaro is also design: blue and silver metallic two-tone exterior paint, chrome-plated aluminum wheels and a livery reminiscent of the movement of the sea.

The acquisition of this fleet was supported by the Provence Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region and the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis.

We wanted to make the southern region a driving force for climate agreements. For this we voted our Regional Climate Plan, a “COP in advance”, which translates concretely into 100 actions around 5 major axes. We devote nearly 25% of the budget of the Region. Among these actions, mobility plays a major role. It is a considerable lever that should allow us to act concretely in the service of ecology in our territories, and therefore the health of the Alpine and Riviera Provençal. This is why we are very proud to have participated in the implementation of 100% electric shuttles at Nice Côte d’Azur airport. This project marks a step closer to our goal of becoming the 1st Smart Region in Europe, ” saysRenaud Muselier, President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region .

The attractiveness of our metropolitan area continues to grow and requires infrastructures that respond to its development. Generator of growth and jobs, the development of the airport is necessary and must be part of the ambitious commitments we have already made in environmental matters. The implementation of these 100% electric shuttles completes the full openings this year of Line 2 and Line 3 of the tram, connected to the airport and facilitating the movement of residents and visitors, and the launch of buses electric cars that will roll on the Promenade des Anglais as early as December. Clean and ecological,continues Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice, President of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis and Deputy President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region.

We are particularly proud, in the Transdev Group, of being the first to install 100% electric vehicles at a French airport. All the more satisfied that we manage to do so in particularly tight deadlines, thanks to the excellent relationship we have with the manufacturer. We defend on a daily basis, especially through our experimental sites, our position as Europe’s leading operator of zero emissions mobility. Eco-responsibility is not a posture, but a commitment of every moment, ” comments Edouard Hénaut, General Manager France Transdev .

The new Mercedes-Benz full-electric eCitaro paves the way for electric mobility in the heart of cities; it produces no CO2 emissions and emits virtually no noise, thus meeting the energy transition law perfectly. We thank Nice Côte d’Azur Airport for the great showcase it offers us and the Transdev Group for the trust shown over the years and renewed on this occasion, ” says Eric Schmidt, bus and large accounts sales manager at Daimler Buses-EvoBus France.

photo: Olivier Cleynen

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