China’s Yutong, world’s top electric-bus maker, touts new technology as exports grow

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With quick-charge batteries from CATL, firm aims to extend driving range by 10 per cent while cutting operating cost by 20 per cent

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Yutong Bus showcases new versions of its electric busses at Australia’s National Bus and Coach show in Brisbane on September 17, 2024. Photo: Eric Ng

Eric Ng

Published: 3:00pm, 19 Sep 2024

Yutong Bus, the world’s largest electric-bus maker, has unveiled a new technology platform that aims to boost driving ranges and cut operating costs, as it vies for a bigger slice of a growing market amid a decarbonisation push by public transport fleets worldwide.

The company, based in Zhengzhou in China’s central Henan province, announced the Asia-Pacific launch of the platform on Tuesday at Australia’s biennial National Bus and Coach show in Brisbane, where it showcased four electric buses. The platform integrates software and hardware for improving the safety, reliability and efficiency of commercial electric vehicles.

Combined with new quick-charge battery technology from partner Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), Yutong aims to improve its vehicles’ driving range by 10 per cent while reducing operating cost by 20 per cent, said Kent Chang, the CEO of Asia-Pacific operations.

“The new generation of batteries can be fully charged within 2.5 hours at normal speed during downtimes when city buses are back in depots,” he said. “For long-distance coaches, drivers can do up to a 50 per cent charge in 30 minutes while taking their rests.”

On Tuesday, Shanghai-listed CATL launched a new battery system for commercial vehicles called Tectrans at a trade show in Hanover, Germany.