In September 2025, it will be 30 years since the first natural gas refuelling station for buses was inaugurated by SUDenergie and the Intercommunal Tramways Syndicate in the Canton of Esch (T.I.C.E.) – a pioneering step towards a more eco-friendly public transport in Luxembourg. It’s the perfect moment to look back on a local success story that’s still going strong.
The beginnings of a visionary project
It all began on 6 June 1994, when the former SUDGAZ presented its first two vehicles powered by natural gas during an information session hosted by the Ministry of Energy. At the time, it was a bold pilot project, a first in Luxembourg.
Just five months later, SUDGAZ inaugurated its own natural gas station to fuel its vehicles. The early results were encouraging, and the ambition to take the project further quickly gained momentum.
A first station for T.I.C.E. buses
With a shared ambition to make public transport greener, SUDGAZ and T.I.C.E. joined forces to launch a collaborative initiative.
On 13 September 1995, Luxembourg’s first natural gas refuelling station dedicated to a bus fleet officially opened its doors. From that day on, seven T.I.C.E. buses were running on natural gas.
Continuous evolution
Over the years, what began as a pioneering initiative has steadily evolved and grown:
- A new, more advanced refuelling station was built.
- After several expansions, the fleet now includes 60 buses.
- Natural gas was gradually replaced by renewable biogas.
Today, SUDenergie continues to drive the project forward, ensuring its development and providing round-the-clock maintenance of the station. A clear sign of its long-standing commitment to cleaner mobility.
“I’m very proud to have contributed to this project from day one! Back then, it was a true scientific experiment, real pioneering work. We had the freedom to shape everything ourselves: from the initial idea to the concept, from implementation to continuous development.
It’s a genuine success story for both SUDenergie and T.I.C.E. And the most impressive part? Since 1995, there hasn’t been a single day the buses couldn’t run!”