Coachair is ensuring it has high quality air-conditioning units that lead both the diesel and electric bus markets.
Coachair has considered the implications of zero-emissions vehicles on air-conditioning units. Traditionally, these units needed space and power to keep buses and coaches cool during Australian summers. With the introduction of electric vehicles, lightweight models that take up as little space as possible have become ideal for manufacturers.
Coachair has responded to this change while staying true to its diesel product roots. At the Coachair Expo stand, Coachair national sales manager Anthony O’Donnell says the brand showcased the best of both ranges.
On one side of its open stall, Coachair showed its newest electric unit in the EX32. On the flipside, the leader of its XT product for diesel vehicles mirrored the electric range to give customers numerous choices.
“What we have on display on the electric vehicle side is our EX series,” O’Donnell told ABC. “We have our EX32, but in our range is also the EX26 and EX20. The different models denote different sizes, depending on the length of the bus.
“For example, on the Bus & Coach International (BCI) stand, its 12-metre electric bus has our larger EX32 unit on board, while its nine-metre vehicle has been fitted with the EX20.”
Instead of putting everything into producing a single model that is as light as possible, O’Donnell says the company produced a trio of models that vary in size and weight. He says this provides customers with more tailorable options to suit a range of air-conditioning vehicles.
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“Energy consumption and weight are king – having a large air-conditioner on a small electric bus is fruitless, whereas having the correct size for the vehicle helps customers immensely,” O’Donnell says. “Our EX20 is a lot smaller and lighter than the EX32. Our EX32 is the lightest unit on the market in Australia today for a zero-emissions bus or coach.”
Although electric and hydrogen fuel technology is emerging in the Australian market, O’Donnell says diesel buses will still be in Australia for another 30 years. This means it’s important for Coachair to develop its electric range to progressively sell more while still refining its diesel units.
“For our diesel display we moved from our top unit in the CA series to the XT product,” O’Donnell says. “The XT353 used to be our flagship, but now it’s the XT44.
“As a diesel unit on offer in Australia, it probably has the largest capacity.”
O’Donnell says the latest developments in the XT range highlights Coachair’s commitment to providing the best quality diesel units. He says Coachair has an advantage in the market due to being engineered and designed specifically for local conditions and aftersales support available nation-wide.
“As a brand, Coachair has been owned within Australia for more than 40 years,” O’Donnell says. “A lot of components are manufactured both in Australia and overseas. Every dollar out of our products comes back and stays in Australia.”
O’Donnell says the brand won’t be making large-scale changes to either of its premier product lines. While the industry as a whole rebounds, O’Donnell is hopeful Coachair will capitalise with a successful 2023.
“We’re hoping next year will be a lot busier than the past couple,” O’Donnell says. “We’ve got a very good order book and moving forward we won’t revise any of our units because we’re sure we’ve got exactly what the industry needs.”