Flemish public transport operator De Lijn (the main bus network serving the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium) has placed its 1,000th electric bus into service, marking a milestone in the region's push toward zero-emission public transport by 2035. The landmark vehicle was unveiled in Antwerp, though director-general Ann Schoubs acknowledged that De Lijn itself still lags behind its private partners, who operate roughly half of all routes and already have more than half of their combined fleet electrified. The transition faces hurdles beyond simply purchasing new vehicles, including the costly retrofitting of depots with charging infrastructure and lengthy permitting disputes, with a €400 million investment last year helping to accelerate new orders that typically take 15 to 18 months to deliver.