Electric vehicles have more of a history then many might know. The rapid expansion of electric buses in Australia is forming the next chapter and ABC is at the forefront of documenting this innovation as it happens.
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It may not seem like it, but electric vehicles have a long history. The first electric car came long before the Tesla when chemist William Morrison introduced the first successful electric car in 1890. With a top speed of just over 20 kilometres per hour, it wasn’t anything like the technology we see nowadays.
Fast-forward more than 130 years and the slow burn of electric vehicles has broken into a sprint, all because of the latest developments in the bus and coach industry.
Nowadays, the electric buses we see proliferating global transport ranks can hold more people and travel just a bit faster than Morrison’s six-seat model from the 19th century.
There’s also an amazing amount of technological evolution that is going into these models, particularly when we look at the newest vehicles to grace Australian shores and take on the tough local terrain that our nation is known for.
This February edition of ABC Magazine pays tribute to how far the industry has come in recent years.
Before the COVID-19 hiatus temporarily halted the growth of the industry, diesel buses were still prominent.
Now, not even two years after the last lockdowns were lifted around Australia, electric buses and coaches are dominating global shows and future discussions amongst OEMs and operators alike.
In the space of only a couple of years, electric batteries are now being fitted into the roof of a bus, or even in nifty spaces around axles that allows for luggage storage space.
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These innovations are driving down weights of vehicles and increasing the range of battery electric buses to the point that they are ready to tackle the harshest of Australian terrain.
An example comes from Bus Stop Sales. The Brisbane dealer is remaining at the forefront of battery electric bus technology in Australia through its King Long brand. Its latest electric King Long model graces our cover. From page 22 onwards, enjoy the innovations that are allowing Bus Stop to provide a King Long electric model that can be completely built or partnered with an Australian body.
A full suite of other industry members are also forging forward in the electric bus market, but not just with new vehicles.
As the Australian distributor of Yutong vehicles, VDI has made giant leaps when it comes to electric bus safety through its YESS safety system. As seen on page 30, its groundbreaking layers of safety protect bus batteries.
Similarly, United Safety & Survivability Corporation is similarly forward thinking with its safety products for electric buses. United Safety’s research on page 36 proves just how effective its Fogmaker Fire Suppression System can be for electric vehicles.
Electric bus safety is also a leading topic for Volvo Bus Australia. On page 40, the major bus brand is currently making milestone hometown deliveries of its BZL Electric model while still working hard behind the scenes to enhance its battery safety technology.
There are many more clients who discussed electric innovations in this February edition, alongside some interesting insights from the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) and operator Transit Systems on the state of the electric industry.
This issue shows the rapid development of electric vehicles since Morrison’s first model.
Battery electric buses are the future, but they’re also now very much our present. We hope you enjoy this packed issue of ABC.