• 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.

The post Asiastar Vans, Cab Chassis and Bus coming to Australia appeared first on Eco Car Guide.

Upon completion in Singapore, the test program will be extended to other countries, such as Brazil and the United States. Prior to the joint announcement, the two companies had also tested the same model in the U.K. and in Japan. The two companies, both of which are strongly committed to improving the environmental impact of their operations, selected Singapore as the first field testing ground in this comprehensive program due to the country’s proactive stance in its environmental policies, including countermeasures against air pollution.

During the field test, Nissan will provide FedEx Express with a monitor e-NV200 vehicle for use as a delivery vehicle in the city for one month. After one month, the companies will evaluate the vehicle’s potential for the delivery of international air cargo. The results will be reflected in future development of the model.

The 100% electric e-NV200 commercial vehicle, scheduled for global launch in 2014, is the second Nissan EV (electric vehicle) model to be sold globally, preceded only by the Nissan LEAF. The e-NV200 commercial vehicle establishes Nissan’s leadership in the zero-emissions domain even more firmly, and at the same time, contributes significantly toward innovation in the commercial vehicle market. The model offers all of the spaciousness, versatility, and practicality of its base vehicle, the multipurpose commercial van NV200. It also comes with an advanced performance that can only be achieved through the powertrain of the Nissan LEAF. The e-NV200 provides exceptionally smooth acceleration and quietness, driving characteristics that are unique to electric vehicles, while keeping CO2 driving emissions. The vehicle also displays great potential for use in various fields of business, with its advanced telematics system and power-supply function in the cargo compartment.

Additionally, the model’s enviable cost of ownership—a priority for many companies—will be a highly attractive attribute when it competes in the commercial vehicle marketplace.

As a leader in zero-emission mobility, Nissan is developing electric vehicles while engaged in comprehensive efforts to expand the use of electric vehicles and promote sustainable mobility. These initiatives extend from producing lithium ion batteries, recycling and reusing these batteries, to developing the EV charging infrastructure and proprietary speed charging equipment. Furthermore, the Renault-Nissan Alliance has already concluded more than 100 partnerships related to zero emission mobility with national and local governments, and corporations, throughout the world.

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