Spanish-based UNVI has agreed a deal to work with three component manufacturers to build battery-electric sightseeing buses – and has already received orders for it from yet-to-be named operators.
This year will see the launch of its first battery-electric, double-decker open-top bus, scheduled for BusWorld in late October.
The two-axle 12m dual-door 74-seater is designed with an operating range of 120km.
The move is driven by more stringent rules on particulates and noise emissions, impacting city sightseeing providers in particular.
UNVI is the world’s largest manufacturer of city sightseeing buses and is known for customised buses.
It comes as Berlin has decided that from 2020 it will only be purchasing zero-emission buses. London has taken the same decision, while Paris wants all city buses to be zero-emission five years later.
The Spaniards have chosen experienced component manufacturers as partners: Germany’s BMZ for the batteries, Ziehl-Abegg Automotive for the hub motors/drivetrain and Poland-based SAV Studio for system integration.
“The three companies have already collaborated on several bus projects and are an experienced team,” stresses UNVI MD Eloy Perez Martinez.
“This will provide for a smooth and rapid market entry.”
