The model chosen is the Irizar ie tram, which is known as the Tram’bus in the Basque Country and has become a signature for the region. The order consists of seven 18-metre-long vehicles and four 12 metre ie tram. With this Irizar e-mobility emphasizes that it continues a great transborder adventure between the Communauté of the and Irizar e-mobility.
A great transborder adventure, because the 100% Basque Tram’bus that are already operating in Basque Country, is manufactured in Gipuzkoa at the other side of the French/Spanish border and was inaugurated in Bayonne-Anglet-Biarritz in 2019. These new 11 vehicles are added to the eighteen ie trams that have been on the road in this French region since 2019. As of today, it has transported a record number of 12 million passengers. Manufactured completely in Aduna, Gipuzkoa in the first electromobility factory in Europe, the Tram’bus is the outcome of an order by the Commonwealth of agglomération du Pays Basque from the Basque company Irizar e-mobility. The electric batteries that power the vehicles are manufactured on site, and the factory also supplies all the infrastructure systems needed for charging, drive systems and
energy storage. The 11 new Tram’bus' are to be deployed at Line T2, a BRT-line, which is currently 8.5 kilometres but will increased with five kilometres to 13.5 km. Road construction began in spring 2024, and it will be finished in 2026. It includes exclusive right-of-way and two parking areas on the edges of town for 670 vehicles. The vehicles will be equipped with new GSR2 ADAS systems. Furthermore, they have a renewed generation of 470 kWh batteries, with lower consumption and a longer range. In addition to carrying more energy onboard, the new batteries are compatible with the quick charging infrastructure available on the current grid. Another new feature is the new drive system that, with a lighter and more compact design, weighs 26% less. It also has a new digital HMI.