- The Higer Azure has exceptional range – up to 467km on a single charge*
- ZERO emissions, Reduced Noise Pollution – 100% electric bus
- Intelligent technologies designed to regenerate motion to free power
The future of electric public transport was on show recently with a stopover in Cork city as Harris Group introduced the brand new, fully electric Higer AZURE city bus. The fully electric 12 metre city bus has a range of up to 467kms using 355KwH of batteries supplied by CATL, the world leader in lithium-ion batteries. The Azure can be ordered in airport or commuter spec with seating plans ranging from 30 (airport with larger luggage capacity) to 46 seated passengers with room for up to 40 standees as well as room for a wheelchair passenger and is family friendly for buggies etc.
Exclusive to the Harris Group, the new Higer AZURE electric bus has been designed in Ireland by Harris Bus & Coach UC for the Irish and UK markets with a wide range of specifications for our road and transport infrastructure.
According to John McEvoy, Chief Operating Officer at Harris Group: “We’re delighted to launch the new AZURE to the Irish market and given its passenger capacity and running efficiency, it’s a real winner for our transportation operators looking for high-capacity, cost effective electric buses.”
The Higer AZURE electric bus travelled from the Harris Group HQ in Dublin to Cork non-stop on Harris Groups “Compass Challenge”, showcasing the range of this ZERO emissions city bus. The challenge ranks the Higer AZURE electric bus as one of the most environmentally friendly public transport options available in Ireland and the UK today.
McEvoy says “Our bus and coach division worked very closely with our partners at Higer Bus Ltd to develop the Azure to be a market leader in its class, this started off by making the vehicle as light and agile as possible. Intelligent technologies & logic programming of the components and systems in the vehicle have helped create a vehicle capable of long-distance use, and fast charging with the inclusion of a 75KwH CCS2 DC fast charging system that is included in the price of the vehicle. This helps operators extend the operational hours of use and reducing overall running costs.”
“The recent Compass Challenge highlighted the capability of this advanced electric vehicle; it can comfortably operate for long periods in rural or urban areas in a clean, efficient and sustainable way”
Harris Group already has delivered several 8.5m fully electric buses in Ireland and the UK and has secured customer orders for vehicles expected to go into service in Q1 of 2022. The addition of a bigger vehicle option with an expanded range is a true game-changer for not just public transport run by government bodies, but to independent future-thinking operators that understand the future requirements for their business and the environment we work and live in.
McEvoy says: “The government has been doing a lot of good work to encourage the shift away from fossil fuels and we know that Irish and UK operators are looking for more eco-conscious and sustainably-focused products that can give them a more stable business model to take them into the next element of mass transportation.
“We believe we have the ideal products to help support the sustainability agenda and we’re looking forward to showcasing the Higer AZURE and other electric vehicles in our range in the near future.”
For more information on Harris Group, click here and you can see the Higer AZURE in action here.
*Drivers training required to achieve optimal mileage range
