Euro Bus Expo on the launching pad: over 80 buses on display (ADL, Switch, Irizar, Equipmake, Yutong among others)

Over 80 buses are awaiting for the public of Euro Bus Expo, the UK flagship trade show for the bus and coach industry that is ready to return to the NEC Birmingham on 1-3 November.

The free-to-attend event features hundreds of exhibitors offering all the products and services needed to run a PSV operation and has a captivating seminar programme in store for visitors. Industry figureheads will highlight the opportunities, challenges, and trends ahead in the Masterclass Theatre.

Show visitors will also discover the latest technology and service developments driving the sector forward thanks to the Innovation Challenge, which celebrates some of the best innovations on the market.

As mentioned above, there will be over 80 mini, midi and full-size buses and coaches to explore across individual stands, the Miniplus Area, and the outside Zero Emission Zone.

Euro Bus Expo 2022: the Zero Emission Zone

Sponsored by ESP Utilities Group and Enel X Way, the Zero Emission Zone will showcase the newest vehicles designed to decarbonise passenger travel. ESP Utilities Group and Enel X Way will supply charging facilities for demonstrations of the latest carbon-free vehicles.

Alexander Dennis, Equipmake and GM Coachwork will showcase their latest battery-electric models: the Enviro400EV double deck bus, Optare Versa EVR single deck bus and Maxus eDeliver 9 minibus, respectively.

Pelican Bus and Coach will bring the Yutong TCe12 battery-electric coach – the only electric coach currently available in the UK. Seating up to 50 passengers, the TCe12 has a range of around 200 miles on a full charge. It is also supplied with an overnight DC charger.

Visitors will also get the chance to ride on the Sigma 10. Part of Mellor’s new range of battery-electric vehicles, the Sigma 10 has a maximum capacity for 70 passengers and can be specified in one- and two-door configurations. The fully electric single-deck bus is available with an extended range variant for longer route profiles.

Mellor will display two more vehicles from the range on its stand, including the UK debut of its Sigma 8. The battery-electric midibus is available in one- and two-door configurations, with a maximum capacity of 54 passengers. The fully electric Sigma 8 offers great flexibility for a wide range of operations, says the Rochdale-based manufacturer.

The Sigma 7 completes the line-up from Mellor. The firm announces additional variants of this model – now with four distinct specifications. It can be specified in one- or two-door configurations with a standard high-floor specification, low-floor accessible and DRT platforms, and has a maximum passenger capacity of 31.

Martin Navarro, Head of Enel X Way UK, says: “Enel X Way is proud to be powering the Zero Emission Zone at this year’s Euro Bus Expo, using our charging infrastructure to bring the electric buses in this showcase to life. We look forward to demonstrating what the ‘future’ of smart transportation looks like at the event, including technology-based solutions that, for example, can optimise charging schedules based on site load, energy costs and route timetables. We are pleased to team up with ESP Utilities Group in this space as part of the larger electrification ecosystem and journey.”

ESP’s Chief Commercial Officer Adam Miller adds: “ESP Utilities Group are delighted to be sponsoring the Zero Emission Zone at the Euro Bus Expo 2022. Partnering with Enel X Way is a fantastic way for us to showcase to those attending the event how we can support bus operators with their depot electrification projects from the very first stages, helping to overcome the complex challenges with ESP’s support in connecting to the grid; all the way through to project completion with Enel X Way’s charging infrastructure.”

A glimpse of vehicles at Euro Bus Expo 2022: eVersum, Equipmake, Switch

A host of other manufacturers are geared up to display various battery-electric vehicles across the three-day show, which aims to highlight the future of passenger transport. Below, a list as reported by the organizer in a press note.

eVersum mobility solutions will bring its eShuttle battery-electric single deck bus, which serves inner-city and last-mile operation and airport passenger transport. The eShuttle provides cost-efficient, low-noise and zero-emission transport for up to 60 people, says the firm.

Equipmake will show a double deck bus that has been repowered from OEM diesel-electric hybrid to battery-electric.

PHVC Minibus & Fleet Suppliers brings a Ford E-Transit battery-electric minibus and a Ford E-Transit battery-electric minibus with wheelchair-accessible conversion.

Switch Mobility will present a trio of battery-electric buses, including its first fully electric bus designed for the European market – the e1 12m single deck bus. The e1 includes the newest NMC powerpack technology to reduce mass, increase efficiency and deliver increased range per kg. A lightweight chassis and body construction improves efficiency, providing the lowest TCO for operators and helping them achieve their net-zero targets, says the manufacturer.

Switch Mobility will also display its Metrocity 10.8 single deck bus and Metrocity 8.7m midibus, which the firm says are the ideal single-deck bus for urban environments. At just 7.8-8.8 tonnes and fitted with NMC battery technology, they can travel up to 190 miles on a single charge – with full charge complete in three hours.

Alexander Dennis, BASE, Harris

Meanwhile, Alexander Dennis, BASE Coach Sales and Harris Bus & Coach UC will exhibit three vehicles each on their stands.

From Alexander Dennis, the Enviro400FCEV hydrogen fuel cell-electric double deck bus, an Enviro200EV battery-electric single deck bus and a Volvo B8R Plaxton Leopard coach.

BASE Coach Sales will showcase three coaches – a MAN RR4 Beulas Aura, a Scania K320NB MOBIpeople Explorer and a Scania K360NB MOBIpeople Premium 350.

While Harris Bus & Coach UC will bring a Higer Azure battery-electric single deck bus, a Higer Steed battery-electric midibus and an Iveco Daily Crusader low-floor midibus.

EVM is showing the diversity of its range, bringing eight vehicles to the show. These include three midicoaches; an Iveco Daily Erener Revolution; AOS Grand Toro, and AOS Visigo. They will also bring two minicoaches – a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter EVM X-Clusive conversion and a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter EVM Grand Tourer. Three battery-electric models complete their line up – an Iveco Daily EVM Composite Mobility minibus, a low floor e-Cityline minibus and an AOS Novociti Volt midibus.

Ilesbus will also be displaying a selection of its mini and midi vehicles. A 35-seater Iveco Daily Ilesbus I-City Max low-floor midibus with wheelchair accessibility, full PSVAR and a choice of destination equipment will be there. The Turkish manufacturer will also bring a 20-seater wheelchair-accessible Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Ilesbus I-City 20 low-floor minibus and a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Ilesbus Harmony minicoach, which is available with 16, 19 or 22 seats.

Visitors will get to see an Iveco Daily Ilesbus Glance 33 midicoach, available with 29, 31 or 33 seats and luggage space catered for with side lockers and a rear boot. Plus, an Iveco Daily Ilesbus Glance PSVAR midicoach, which comes as a 29- or 31-seater with a rear side lift and full destination equipment.

Irizar, Temsa, Pelican

Irizar UK will showcase three coaches from its Integral range to include the Irizar i6S Efficient: an integral premium coach, bringing technical sophistication to make it the choice for operators seeking low running costs, minimal downtime and flexibility, says Irizar UK. It utilises DAF’s frugal MX engine series coupled with ZF’s acclaimed gearboxes. Available from 10.8 to 14m, offering seating capacities from 38-63 seats. The vehicle was awarded with the Sustainable Bus Award 2023 in the category Coach.

Irizar e-mobility is bringing an ie Tram – a battery-electric single deck bus, which gives the appearance and features of a tram with the flexibility of a city bus. The 12m version on display is opportunity charged, with depot charged and 18m variants also available, says the firm.

There will be a couple of firsts for Temsa as the manufacturer displays its 57-seater HD13 PSVAR coach – now on offer as an RHD model for the first time. Plus, the Temsa MD9 PSVAR coach launch as a 39-seater configuration.

Visitors to the Omnibus stand will see a newly restored double deck AEC Regent MCCW. With a history spanning more than 90 years, the bus has a new lease of life after a £500k restoration by the Transport Museum Wythall.

Along with the Yutong TCe12 in the Zero Emission Zone, Pelican Bus and Coach will be exhibiting the following vehicles:

• Yutong TC9 midicoach: Seating up to 37 passengers, the TC9 is powered by a 320BHP Cummins engine and ZF automatic gearbox. A mobility version is available that carries up to eight wheelchair users.
• Yutong E12 single deck bus: A battery-electric bus capable of carrying up to 70 passengers. Fitted with a 422kWh battery and the YESS safety system, it is one of the most advanced buses currently available, says Pelican Bus and Coach.
• Yutong GT12 coach: A luxury touring coach seating 53 passengers with a sunken centre toilet. It is powered by a DAF 450BHP engine with a ZF full automatic gearbox.

Scania (Great Britain) will display a K410C Irizar i6S Efficient coach, a K280C Higer Fencer F1 single deck bus and a C250E battery-electric bus chassis.

Other vehicles on show will be an EX11H midicoach, TX17 Astron coach and TDX21 Altano coach from Van Hool; a BZL battery-electric single deck bus and 9700 coach from Volvo Group (UK); an ADL Enviro200 single deck bus from Freeway Fleet Systems; and an ADL Enviro400H diesel-electric hybrid double deck bus from RGI Bus & Coach Refurbishment.