Australian bus manufacturer BusTech Group has a range of body options which are suitable for overseas chassis as well as its market leading integrated body and chassis.
Its VST model range of stainless steel bodies has been a popular addition on top of chassis from major European brands like Scania, MAN and Volvo for more than 30 years, servicing customers in South Australia, Queensland, Victoria and NSW.
The BusTech integrated body and chassis has evolved over a number of years, culminating in the development of BusTech’s own battery electric in the BusTech ZDI.
BusTech Chief Commercial Officer Ross Stonard says the ZDI has been completely designed, engineered and manufactured in Australia with a high level of local content.
“The ZDI is our electric bus model that features our own integrated architecture,” Stonard told ABC.
“The body and chassis is integrated as one, providing weight saving benefits for operators.”
There are electric batteries fitted onto the vehicle’s roof, while two additional batteries are located underneath the vehicle, making the bus unique in the Australian market. Stonard says this battery make-up means the bus body has improved dynamics, with the centre of gravity being lower.
“The total battery capacity is also among the largest in the market, providing 452kWh of energy and a range of more than 400km,” Stonard says.
The bus has been running in NSW and Queensland for the past year, with Stonard saying the feedback has been extremely good. The buses are remotely monitored from a central location, providing a constant feedback loop to customers.
“The information we are obtaining on our vehicles in operation will enable us to evolve our offering to customers,” Stonard says.
While states and territories accelerate towards zero-emission fleets, Stonard says there will still be the need for diesel and hybrid buses to sustain replacement cycles and service the regions. He says BusTech Group’s VST diesel options are perfectly suited to service this sector of the Australian market.
“Our VST body on OEM diesel and hybrid chassis provides options to operators who aren’t ready for the transition to zero-emissions,” Stonard says.
“The body has been built on hybrid chassis as well as on diesel and articulated. We can do whatever the customer requires.”
This flexibility has been evidenced in South Australia, with BusTech Group providing the bodies on Scania’s diesel, hybrid and battery electric models that have recently been delivered in the state. While BusTech continues to supply the VST body for diesel options, it will also provide a version of that body for a wide range of low and zero-emissions options through BusTech’s EVST body range.
“We are unique in the Australian market as we are the only Australian body builder manufacturing on an OEM electric chassis while also having our own OEM battery electric vehicle, giving us options,” Stonard says.
“This flexibility provides us and our customers with the best of both worlds and endless options.”
What to look forward to in 2024
The BusTech Group has a flexible body architecture that enables it to manufacture on multiple chassis variants with varying powertrain options, as well as producing its own battery electric bus.
“Customers will have different requirements in 2024, and onwards. As the transition to zero-emissions buses accelerates in metro areas, the requirement for diesel buses will be maintained in regional areas,” Stonard says.
“BusTech is ready to meet the demands of the market.”