E-buses coming from partnership

Dutch EV firm Ebusco and Australian Bus Corporation (Precisions Buses, Bustech) are partnering to deliver and maintain electric buses in Australia and New Zealand.

The pair will launch the Ebusco 3.0 carbon fibre bus saving more than four tonnes, capable of 500km range, featuring a low, flat floor and optional panoramic roof.

The present model Ebusco 2 is a fully electric city bus with more than 350km range.

“The Australian Bus Corporation and Ebusco initially met at the BIC conference in Canberra, Australia,” Ebusco Asia Pacific strategic director Simon Pearce says.

”After an initial discussion between Dan Marks (Precision Buses and Bustech director and owner), Peter Bijvelds (Ebusco chief executive) and Michel Maanen (Ebusco chief commercial officer and chief operations officer) each party felt that they could offer the other a unique skillset in addressing the needs of the Australasian market.

“We believe the Ebusco 3.0 will be a game changer and will significantly lower the total cost of ownership model in an extremely competitive environment, delivering significant benefits to customers.”

Ebusco has delivered more than 150 electric buses into fleets in Europe with a further 245 e-buses to be delivered in the next year.

Australian Bus Corporation, through Precision Buses and Bustech, provides design, engineering and manufacturing capability and capacity in Australia, supported by a localised supply chain throughout Australia, spare parts warehousing, and a service, after sales and support network.

“Our collaboration with Ebusco supports our broader strategy of collaborating with technology partners who wish to expand into Australasia,” Australian Bus Corporation group managing director Christian Reynolds says.

The Ebusco 2.2 and Ebusco 3.0 will be made in Australia in a purpose-built high-tech facility.

Both companies are working with other technology and infrastructure partners to support multiple operations across Australia.