(TL/JB) Luxembourg this week inaugurated the first hybrid bus charging station in Europe.

The station at Bertrange-Strassen is for plug-in hybrids, Transport Minister François Bausch explained on Tuesday, demonstrating it with a number 26 bus.

The bus pulled into a small layby area in front of the bus stop and beneath a white ABB charging post, one of the world leaders for fast charging.

White lines on the tarmac indicate exactly where the driver must park the vehicle beneath an overhead computer, known as a pantographe, which communicates with the bus via wifi.

Between 5 and 7 minutes to charge

Recharging the vehicle takes between five and seven minutes in the new station. The bus cannot restart until the driver releases the hand brake, a measure which prevents the overhead arm from being damaged.

The bus' battery enables it to travel up to eight kilometres in urban areas. A dashboard display at the front of the bus shows the driver how much autonomy remains, so he can choose between using electric or diesel motor to power the vehicle.

The bus used in the demonstration will go to Alzingen via Leudelange and the Cloche d'Or. These types of buses will be used for two other routes: lines 9 and 14 and authorities are looking at its use on line 215 from Bascharage to Luxembourg.

So far, six buses are equipped with this technology, which was developed by Volvo and six others could be ordered in future, the minister said.

In May next year Luxembourg will be able to claim another European first when Differdange rolls out its fleet of 100% electric buses.