The IE-Drive 100 hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) utilises the company’s “patented evaporatively cooled (EC) technology”, whilst the hydrogen fuel cell stack delivers 155kW of power. In terms of the architecture, the design is centred around ‘blending’ the desired performance with the space constraints of LCVs. IE stated the HFC is currently being tested with various UK partners.

Following the framework sale of the e-Jest electric shuttle bus in the right-hand drive market in Japan earlier this year - Karsan is now exploring entry into the UK market with first deliveries planned for 2024.

Speaking with Deniz Cetin, Chief Commercial Officer at Karsan Automotive & Board Member at Group Companies at Cenex (2023), T&BB was informed that Karsan has bid on autonomous electric bus contracts (tenders) in Spain, Israel, Qatar and Canada. Deniz confirmed that Karsan recently delivered an autonomous bus to Istanbul which comes off the back of two successful autonomous bus trials in Norway and the USA.

UK operator, Newport Transport, appoints Equipmake to convert 8 of its double-deckers to electric power with its Zero Emission Drivetrain (ZED).

The vehicle shown was a 26-tonne ‘E-Tech D Wide’ 6x2 chassis with inward folding "bus-style" doors and low step height.

The vehicle presented at the show was a first demonstrator, but Schaeffler and VDL have plans to produce more, with the aim of commencing customer pilots in Germany in 2025.

Europe and arguably the world's largest bus and coach fair will take place at Brussels Expo in Belgium in six weeks' time running from the 7th to the 12th of October 2023.

The new rounded steel body of the S.KI, which has a loading volume of 24 cubic metres and is lighter by up to 180 kg than before, is reportedly more rigid and easier to handle, thanks to redesigned cross-section and upper lips and a lower centre of gravity.

The cooling channels etched into the metal plate causes the battery coolant to flow in a way that, according to Mahle, improves the thermodynamic performance of the battery pack.

At stand 629 in hall 6, the company stated it would be “presenting primarily climate-friendly products for alternative drive types” whilst also focusing on its digital and cloud-based service offerings.

Whilst details remain sparse at this point on the power source (fuel cell or hydrogen ICE?), the new i6 coach is set to have a minimum range of 500km on a single refill. Irizar says that the hydrogen coach forms part of its “future business strategy and technology roadmap, which includes the Irizar Efficient range of multi-technology vehicles.”

The 26th edition of Busworld Europe is set to take place over six days at Brussels Expo in Belgium starting on October 7th. This is the world's largest exhibition dedicated to the the bus and coach industry with companies from around the globe attending this biennial event.