• Founded in 1949, Asiastar products have been proven around the world
• The largest battery size in the Australian electric van segment
• Innovative eAxle powertrain, a first for the van market in Australia

A new name in all-electric commercial transport has arrived in Australia. Asiastar is debuting its innovative range of vans, cab chassis and buses.

At the heart of the offering is the largest battery size available in the van segment on these shores. This is paired with an eAxle, where the drive motor is mounted directly to the rear axle. Combined they provide fleets with an attractive proposition in terms of range and payload possibilities.

By virtue of eliminating the propeller shaft and other components, the intuitive packaging of the eAxle provides a weight saving of around ten per cent. While the removal of various components from the driveline improves efficiency by five to ten per cent.

The offering has been tailored to cater to last-mile deliveries, trades and construction companies. Also local government use, community transport, aged care, and patient transport, as well as for integration into rental companies.

Asiastar was founded in 1949 and is a subsidiary of the Weichai Group. It is ranked 18th in China’s top 100 multinational companies, with a global workforce of 100,000 and an annual revenue of AU$65 billion.

Imported by Foton Mobility Distribution

Locally, the products will be imported by Foton Mobility Distribution. Fully supported by a nationwide network of dealers and service partners.

“It’s an exciting time to be bringing the Asiastar product to Australia. The brand providing a range that is truly in demand by the local market,” said Bill Gillespie, Foton Mobility Distribution’s General Manager of Light Duty Vehicles.

“In Australia, commercial vehicle buyers are now looking to all-electric solutions to meet their environmental mandate. And through Asiastar, we have a comprehensive range that are proven performers, which simply make financial sense.

“The electric van segment is truly underserviced locally. With the innovations we are bringing to the market with our leading battery size, range, and eAxle configuration, we know that this will be a hit.

“From a price standpoint, the cab chassis version starts at under $90,000 excluding GST. This really brings down one of the main barriers to converting to EV.

“Asiastar is making big inroads in their various markets around the world, and we are working closely with the factory and our local upfitters to be able to provide off-the-shelf and tailored solutions that will cater to any application.”

Asiastar product range

The Asiastar products available from launch will be a 70kWh and 105.6hWh van and cab chassis. While the bus variant will be available with the larger 105.6kWh battery. It can be fitted with 12 seats or no seats, for configurations that require bespoke fit-outs.

The 105.6kWh battery is supplied by global leading manufacturer CATL, with the system running to 500 volts. Under the bonnet, a three-in-one MCU, PCU and DCDC unit control power supply to the vehicle.

Meanwhile, the eAxle motor can provide a peak torque of 3,890Nm, and a peak power rating of 140kW, with its compact packaging allowing space for the larger battery packs.

With an estimated driving range of 300km for the larger battery, the platform is perfectly suited to the rigours of stop-start city traffic, while the standard suite of safety features includes ABS braking, autonomous electric braking, electronic stability control, lane departure warning and a reversing camera on the van and bus.

All products have a 4,500kg GVM and are capable of being driven on a car licence.

With the market topping 105.6kWh battery fitted, the van can haul a maximum payload of 1,480kg within its 10.5m3 cargo space, or with the smaller battery, the van is rated to a top payload of 1,700kg.

The cab chassis variant, meanwhile, allows for complete customisation of the cargo area of the vehicle, for a Pantech body, a tray, or any other combination.

With the smaller battery fitted, a 1,870k payload is possible, while the larger battery allows for 1,650kg.

The 12-seat bus configuration meanwhile features a manual folding step and a fixed handrail, with the passenger seats finished in either cloth or vinyl, resulting in a 1,250kg payload.

Asiastar Owner benefits

The Asiastar range is backed by a five-year or 200,000km warranty. The main traction batteries enjoying an eight-year or 300,000km warranty. 24/7 roadside and phone support will be provided by NTI Truck Assist.

Outside of the competitively priced base vehicle, the platform’s total cost of ownership figures stack up. This is via the elimination of fuel expenses, with extended 30,000km service intervals. All this is complimented by the low requirement for ongoing consumables.

Initial stock for the range has now landed in Australia. They will be expected to arrive in dealerships by the end of Q1.

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• Iconic New Routemaster double-decker bus becomes a clean, green machine after being “repowered” with Equipmake’s cutting-edge electric powertrain
• Hybrid drivetrain removed and replaced with state-of-the-art Zero Emission Drivetrain (ZED)
• Fully-electric bus, revealed today at the Euro Bus Expo, is already in London
  pre-service trials with operator Metroline
• Demonstration bus will enable industry to assess whether repowering is a cost-effective transitionary technology capable of rapidly accelerating a bus fleet from diesel to zero emissions
• Equipmake’s repower technology can upgrade any ICE (internal combustion engine) or hybrid bus to pure EV

Equipmake pure electric bus technology

Electrification specialist Equipmake showcases its latest pure-electric bus technology, in the shape of a zero-emission version of the New Routemaster double-decker bus.

Unveiled on Equipmake’s stand A30 at the Euro Bus Expo – held at the NEC, Birmingham from 1-3 November – the clean, green New Routemaster has been “repowered” by Equipmake. This process sees its hybrid drivetrain completely replaced with Equipmake’s cutting-edge Zero Emission Drivetrain (ZED), which uses 95% British-built component content.

With pre-service trials already started in London, operated by Metroline, the electric version of the New Routemaster will continue to be assessed over the next six months. The programme will deliver valuable test data as Transport for London (TfL) continues to evaluate a range of clean technologies, including state-of-the-art repower systems such as Equipmake’s ZED. Charging infrastructure at Metroline’s Holloway depot, alongside battery data analytics for the bus, is being provided by Zenobē, the EV fleet and battery storage specialist.

The repowered New Routemaster, developed by Equipmake at its base in Snetterton, Norfolk, features a 400kWh battery enabling an expected in-service range of 150 miles – more than enough for a day’s running. The development of the all-electric New Routemaster has come about thanks to a programme funded by the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC).

Equipmake trialing buses

Over the coming months, Equipmake will be trialing additional repowered buses with other bus operators across the UK.

Ian Foley, CEO of Equipmake, said: “Repowering is a vital, cost-effective transitionary technology that can bridge the gap between diesel and a new electric bus fleet. We are delighted to showcase our latest repower system in the shape of a zero-emission version of the iconic New Routemaster double-decker bus here today at Euro Bus Expo.

London is leading the way in the adoption of green technologies for large commercial vehicles and as TfL continues to evaluate a range of clean technologies, we are confident our repower systems can play a rapid role in accelerating any zero-emission vehicle strategy.”

Adrian Jones, Engineering Director, Metroline, said: “Metroline is delighted to trial this innovative fully-electric New Routemaster bus in London. Repowering technology has huge potential in enabling operators to accelerate the transition of fleets to zero emissions and we look forward to further evaluating this test vehicle over the coming six months.”  

Zero Emission Drivetrain (ZED)

The ZED which features in the New Routemaster can be applied to any existing hybrid or diesel bus, quickly upgrading the vehicle with a state-of-the art battery drivetrain.

One of the ZED’s most important features is Equipmake’s patented ultra-efficient thermal management system. This maintains all three of the ZED’s key components – the battery pack, motor, and inverter – at an optimum operating temperature, maximising vehicle range.

Featuring an advanced water-glycol cooling circuit, the system has the added benefit of providing interior heating during cold conditions with captured thermal energy. When the battery is depleted at the end of a complete duty cycle, it can be recharged at the depot overnight via a CSS DC charging point.

Under the skin, the New Routemaster also features Equipmake’s HTM 3500 electric motor. Seamlessly integrated into the prop shaft without the need for a separate transmission, the motor is precisely engineered to meet the demanding requirements of a fully-laden double-decker bus by producing 3,500Nm torque at a motor speed of just 1,000rpm and delivering 400kW maximum power.

Applicable to all buses

Equipmake’s repower technology programme involves an inspection of each bus to ensure its adaptability to the company’s unique, scalable modular electric chassis. Once its suitability is verified, the process itself is quick, with up to five repowers a week being able to be completed, ensuring buses are off the road for as little time as possible.
Each repower is tailored to specific operator requirements, with service routes simulated to ensure the correct battery power level is selected for optimum performance and efficiency, and guaranteed driving ranges of 150 to 250 miles achievable. This is more than sufficient for a complete duty cycle, allowing buses to be recharged overnight.

Repowering buses with Equipmake’s technology also means a new lease of life for ICE vehicles which might otherwise be scrapped as operators transition to emission-free driving. Instead of writing off a whole vehicle, repowering means the body and systems are effectively recycled – bringing huge environmental gains given that the manufacturing of a vehicle is one of the more polluting and energy-intensive parts of its lifecycle.

As well as bringing environmental benefits, Equipmake’s repower programme makes sense from a cost perspective, with each conversion coming in at less than half the price of a new electric bus.  And with most buses expected to remain in service for 14 years or beyond, operators can still make significant efficiencies by repowering a bus halfway through its working life.

Repowering technology

Ian Foley continued: “We know there is a clear appetite for repowering technology, with strong demand from operators, which is leading to the expansion of our facilities in Norfolk. Changes to grants for bus operators mean repowering is encouraged, and the DfT’s consultation on proposals to end the sale of new non-zero emission buses means demand for our technology will only increase. Add in the associated financial benefits of a repowered bus, and it’s easy to see why such vehicles can very quickly bring cleaner air to every town and city in the UK.”

Earlier this year, Equipmake was awarded a contract by First Bus to fully convert 12 Optare Versa buses from existing EV Generation One systems to Equipmake’s ZED.

Conversion work has been carried out on the first Versa bus at Equipmake’s Snetterton headquarters, with the first of the 12 buses expected to be back in operation on York’s roads this month.

The post Equipmake tests Fully-Electric Routemaster Bus appeared first on Eco Car Guide.

• New bus debuts at the C40 World Mayors Summit in the Argentine capital
• Unveiled by Argentine-Brazilian bus manufacturer Agrale, the single-deck MT17.0 LEe features Equipmake’s cutting-edge Zero Emissions Drivetrain (ZED).
• The electric bus has already been successfully tested by Agrale and will now begin service tests on the streets of Buenos Aires
• Developed from the ground up by Equipmake, in conjunction with Agrale, through the Advanced Propulsion Centre-funded CELEB (Cost-Effective Low Entry Bus) Project, the bus displays Equipmake’s OEM supply credentials
• Equipmake’s ZED powertrain technology can also be applied as a repower, rapidly upgrading any ICE or hybrid bus to pure EV, whether single or double-decker.
• www.equipmake.co.uk

Debuted in the context of the C40 World Mayors Conference, held from October 19 to 21 in the Argentine capital, the zero-emission Agrale MT17.0 LEe bus was one of the stars of the event, which brought together mayors from around the world, as well as leading decision makers, with the objective of showing innovative sustainability solutions.

Following successful tests by the Agrale manufacturer in Argentina, the new bus will now begin in-service trials on the streets of Buenos Aires. Having committed to halving its carbon emissions by 2030 and becoming completely carbon neutral by 2050, Buenos Aires sees electric buses as playing a crucial role in supporting its climate commitments.

The Equipmake-powered Agrale MT17.0 LEe is a 12m single deck model capable of carrying 70 passengers and will be operated for the next 12 months by DOTA S.A., the largest bus operator in Buenos Aires. 

The drivetrain has been developed as part of the Advanced Propulsion Centre-funded CELEB (Cost Effective Low Entry Bus) project, in which Equipmake has led multiple international partners over the last three years, with the objective being to deliver a cost-effective bus designed for the South American market.

Working with Argentine-Brazilian bus manufacturer Agrale and Argentine coachbuilder Todo Bus, Equipmake developed, from ground-up, an electric version of the single-deck Agrale MT17.0 LE, installing its own Zero Emission Drivetrain (ZED).

 Agrale electric bus

The new vehicle features a bespoke Equipmake ZED with a 318kWh lithium-ion battery, Equipmake’s own HTM 3500 electric motor, producing 3,500Nm of torque at 1,000rpm and a maximum power of 400kW, seamlessly integrated into the prop shaft without the need for a separate transmission, and the Semikron SKAI inverter.

Equipmake estimates that the new electric Agrale MT17.0LEe will have a range of up to 150 miles (240km), more than enough for a day’s use in Buenos Aires. When the battery is depleted at the end of a complete duty cycle, it can be recharged in the depot overnight via a CSS2 DC charging point.

Following the successful completion of the test, the objective is for mass manufacturing to begin in Buenos Aires with Agrale and Todo Bus, using the licensed Equipmake ZED technology, with the wider ambition of bringing state-of-the-art electrification to other South American countries, in line with the collaboration agreement between the company and Agrale included in the admission document dated 22 July 2022.  

Edson Martins, Commercial Director of Agrale, said: “Agrale is a leading provider of urban passenger transport in South America, and the launch of this new cutting-edge electric bus, today at the C40 World Mayors Conference, is a landmark moment. It has the potential to help Buenos Aires achieve its sustainability goals. I would like to thank our technology partner Equipmake, who has created a really advanced yet cost-effective electric bus. The technology exhibited by this vehicle can play a key role in improving urban air quality in other cities in South America, and also globally.”

Ian Foley, CEO of Equipmake Holdings PLC, said: “On behalf of everyone at Equipmake, I am proud to see the MT17.0LEe, featuring our ZED system, launched here today at the C40 World Mayors Conference and mark the imminent start of in-service trials on the streets of Buenos Aires. Through this Advanced Propulsion Centre-funded project, we have worked closely with Agrale along with other key partners, and the result is a state-of-the-art yet cost-effective bus. Its potential is huge. Buenos Aires has around 16,000 buses alone and electric buses can play a key role in helping the city hit its targets of halving carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050.”

Equipmake’s ZED system also enables the repower of almost any type of bus too. Replacing an existing ICE drivetrain, the company’s repower programme involves an inspection of each bus to ensure adaptability. Once its suitability is verified, the process itself is quick, with up to five repowers a week being able to be completed, ensuring a working bus is kept off the road for as short a time as possible.

Each repower is tailored to specific operator requirements, with service routes simulated to ensure the correct battery power level is selected for optimum performance and efficiency, and guaranteed driving ranges of 150 to 250 miles achievable, more than sufficient for a complete duty cycle, allowing buses to be recharged overnight.

As well as bringing environmental benefits, Equipmake’s repower programme makes financial sense, with each conversion coming in at less than half the price of a new electric bus. And with most buses remaining in service for 14 years or beyond, operators can make significant efficiencies by repowering a bus halfway through its working life. 

Ian Foley, CEO of Equipmake Holdings PLC, added: “In parallel with the creation of new electric buses, repowering is an important transitionary technology that can bridge the gap between diesel and a new electric bus fleet. There is clear appetite for the technology, with strong demand from operators, leading to the expansion of our facilities in Norfolk. We believe interest will only increase and, next to the associated financial benefits, repowered vehicles can very quickly bring cleaner air to any town or city.”

The post Agrale electric bus Equipmake-Developed State-Of-The-Art Electric Bus In Buenos Aires appeared first on Eco Car Guide.

• Awarded a contract to fully convert 12 Optare Versa buses from existing EV Generation one system to Equipmake’s Zero Emission Drivetrain (ZED)
• Conversion work underway on the first Versa bus at Equipmake’s headquarters in Snetterton, Norfolk
• The first of the 12 buses is expected to be back in operation on the roads of York in November.
• Equipmake’s patented HVAC system will have a guaranteed range of 150 miles in all UK weather conditions for the re-powered York fleet

First Bus is partnering with Equipmake Holdings plc (Equipmake), to repower 12 of the operator’s first-generation electric buses in York.

As one of the UK’s largest bus operators, First Bus has pledged to operate a full zero emission fleet by 2035.

Leading electrification specialist, Equipmake has been awarded a contract to convert the 12 First York electric Optare Versa buses using its pioneering electric drivetrain at the company’s base in Snetterton, Norfolk.

Equipmake expects each converted bus to have a range of 150 miles in all UK weather conditions, thanks to a larger battery and a patented HVAC system, extending the life of existing zero-emissions public transport for the people of York.

Equipmake ZED

Both single-deckers, such as the Versa, and double-deckers, can be repurposed to incorporate Equipmake’s unique, scalable, modular Zero Emission Drivetrain (ZED).

Equipmake repowers are tailored to specific requirements provided by the operator, with service routes simulated to ensure the optimum battery power level is selected to secure driving ranges of 150 to 250 miles. This range is more than sufficient for a complete duty cycle, allowing buses to be recharged faster, overnight and operate for longer during the day.

Equipmake’s repower programme has both environmental and cost benefits, with each conversion costing less than half the cost of a new electric bus. With most buses in service for 14 years or more, operators can make significant savings by repowering a bus halfway through its usable life.

Work is already underway on the first Versa conversion, and following the successful trial, 11 more buses will be repowered over the coming months, with delivery of the first vehicle scheduled for November this year.

Ian Foley, CEO, Equipmake, said: “Repowered buses represent a fantastic opportunity for operators to help accelerate the much-needed transition to sustainable mobility. Together with our new electric bus, the Jewel E, this technology can facilitate a significant reduction in air pollution across the country.

“We are delighted that First Bus has chosen to implement our pioneering technology in 12 of the buses in its York Park & Ride fleet. This is great news for passengers and for the people of York, who can look forward to cleaner air in their city.

“This agreement reflects the strong demand we are seeing for our products, which has, in turn, driven plans to expand our facility, creating 180 jobs, bringing the total number of staff employed at Equipmake to 255.”

First Bus Zero emission transport

Garry Birmingham, Director for Decarbonisation at First Bus, said: “First Bus has repeatedly demonstrated its ambition to provide zero-emission transport in the local communities that we operate in.

“The retrofitting of our older electric buses is another great example of how we can maximise the lifespan of a bus, beyond 15 years, and in addition, significantly reduce the embodied carbon associated with manufacturing new vehicles. This is an extension of our Zero Emission Mission 2035 target, in support of our wider commitment to setting ambitious science-based targets to achieve Net Zero Emissions.

“These 12 repowered buses use a clever and cost-effective technology, which underlines our commitment to offer sustainable transport solutions. Nationally, First Bus is committed to delivering our zero-emission fleet goal, and First York’s partnership with Equipmake is a great example of how we can achieve this ambition.”

First Bus played a key role in helping to establish the York Park & Ride scheme, one of the most extensive in the UK. It offers affordable transportation into the city centre from six different parking locations, with buses carrying around 50,000 people every day and is already the biggest zero-emission Park & Ride operation in the country.

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