Electric buses are a common sight in some of the most modern cities in the world.
A sustainability revolution is ongoing as cities race to electrify their bus fleets.
Electric buses are a great way to reduce emissions and noise pollution in urban areas, while also offering cost savings over time.
The electric bus market is set to see even more growth, with several manufacturers releasing new and improved models.
In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the best electric buses available in the market, evaluating factors such as range, charging speed, passenger capacity, and overall performance.
Whether you’re an urban planner, a transit agency manager, or just interested in the latest advancements in electric transportation, this article will give you a comprehensive overview of the top electric buses to watch.
In this guide, I ranked and reviewed the 5 best electric buses in 2023.
- Ebusco 3.0
- Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G
- Solaris Urbino 18 Electric
- AB Volvo 7900
- BYD K11M
With more than 16000 electric buses, the Shenzhen city of China has the world’s first and largest fully electric bus fleet.
Compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) buses, electric buses are more silent and much cleaner because they emit no carbon emissions.
The electrification of bus fleets is a slow but irreversible global trend.
Industry players include legacy automakers, but also some new challengers.
Tesla, the EV pioneer, is not among them.
What are the 5 Best Electric Buses in 2023?
My top picks are Ebusco 3.0, Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G, Solaris Urbino 18 Electric, AB Volvo 7900 and BYD K11M.
1. Ebusco 3.0
The Ebusco 3.0 is an award-winning electric bus produced in the Netherlands that is designed to meet the increasing demand for sustainable transportation in urban areas.
One of its most notable features is its composite construction, which makes it substantially lighter than other buses and results in much lower maintenance costs over time.
The use of advanced composite materials also makes the bus more durable and resistant to wear and tear, allowing it to better withstand the daily rigors of public transportation.
In addition to its superior construction, the Ebusco 3.0 is also notable for its impressive range of up to 575 kilometers on a single charge.
This is thanks in part to its powerful motor, which delivers an impressive 22000 Nm of torque to propel the bus forward.
This impressive range and power make the Ebusco 3.0 a great option for urban transit agencies looking to reduce their environmental impact without sacrificing performance.
Another standout feature of the Ebusco 3.0 is its generous passenger capacity, with the ability to carry up to 160 passengers at once.
This makes it an ideal option for high-volume routes and busy transit hubs where maximizing passenger capacity is essential.
Despite its spacious interior, the bus maintains a relatively compact footprint, with a length of 18 meters, width of 2.55 meters, and height of 3.2 meters.
Features:
- Composite bus – substantially lighter and much lower maintenance costs
- Range up to 575 km
- 22000 Nm torque
- Carries up to 160 passengers
- 18 meter length
- 2.55 meter width
- 3.2 meter height
Visit their website for more information.
2. Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G
The Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G is a revolutionary electric bus designed to meet the growing demand for sustainable public transportation.
As the first fully electric bus from Mercedes-Benz, the eCitaro G is a significant milestone in the company’s eMobility vision, which aims to create cleaner and more efficient transportation solutions for the future.
One of the most striking features of the eCitaro G is its enormous size.
At 18 meters long and 3.4 meters high, it is one of the largest electric buses on the market today.
This size allows the bus to carry up to 146 passengers comfortably, making it an ideal choice for high-volume routes and busy urban transit hubs.
The eCitaro G is also available with three or four doors, which allows for faster and more efficient passenger boarding and disembarking.
This is particularly important for busy routes, where reducing dwell times at each stop can help to improve overall service reliability and customer satisfaction.
In addition to its size and passenger capacity, the eCitaro G is also notable for its impressive performance.
The bus is powered by a high-capacity battery that provides a range of up to 220 kilometers on a single charge.
It also features a powerful electric motor that delivers smooth and quiet acceleration, making for a comfortable and enjoyable ride for passengers.
Features:
- 18 meter length
- 3.4 meter height
- Carries up to 146 passengers
- 3/4 doors
Visit their website for more information.
3. Solaris Urbino 18 Electric
The Solaris Urbino 18 Electric is an impressive electric bus that is designed to meet the needs of modern urban transit systems.
As a low-floor, articulated bus, it offers a spacious and comfortable interior that can accommodate up to 110 passengers at once.
This makes it an ideal option for high-volume routes and busy urban transit hubs.
One of the standout features of the Solaris Urbino 18 Electric is its electric driveline, which allows it to operate quietly and emissions-free.
The bus can run for up to 24 hours a day, making it a reliable and efficient option for transit agencies looking to reduce their carbon footprint without sacrificing performance.
The Solaris Urbino 18 Electric is available in both low-floor and low-entry variants, which allows for easy and efficient passenger boarding and disembarking.
The bus also features a powerful 240 kW engine, which delivers smooth and quiet acceleration and ensures a comfortable ride for passengers.
In recognition of its impressive design and performance, the Solaris Urbino 18 Electric was awarded the 2017 Bus of the Year award.
This award is a testament to the bus’s innovative features and its ability to meet the needs of modern urban transit systems.
Features:
- 18 meter length
- 2.55 meter width
- 3.3 meter height
- Carries up to 110 passengers
- 240 kW engine power
- Carries up to 110 passengers
Visit their website for more information.
4. AB Volvo 7900
The Volvo 7900 electric bus is a revolutionary vehicle that is designed to help cities transition to cleaner, more sustainable public transportation.
As a fully electric bus, it operates without emissions or noise, making it an ideal choice for urban areas that are looking to reduce their carbon footprint and improve air quality.
This aligns with Volvo’s vision of creating zero cities, where there are zero emissions, zero noise, zero congestion, and zero accidents.
One of the standout features of the Volvo 7900 is its advanced automation technology, which includes geofencing and pedestrian detection.
These features help to improve safety and efficiency, while also making the bus easier to operate and navigate in urban environments.
With a length of 17.8 meters, a width of 2.5 meters, and a height of 3.3 meters, the Volvo 7900 is a spacious and comfortable vehicle that can accommodate up to 150 passengers.
This makes it an ideal option for high-volume routes and busy urban transit hubs.
The bus is powered by a lithium-ion battery that can store up to 470 kWh of energy, which allows it to travel for long distances on a single charge.
It also has a permitted GVW of 30000kg, which ensures that it can carry heavy loads without sacrificing performance or efficiency.
Features:
- 17.8 meter length
- 2.5 meter width
- 3.3 meter height
- 30000kg permitted GVW
- Carries up to 150 passengers
- Up to 470 kWh lithium-ion battery
Visit their website for more information.
5. BYD K11M
The BYD K11M is a remarkable electric bus that has been developed by the Chinese EV manufacturer, BYD.
With an impressive length of 18 meters, it is a spacious and comfortable vehicle that can accommodate up to 56 passengers.
This makes it an ideal option for high-volume routes and busy urban transit hubs.
One of the standout features of the BYD K11M is its impressive range, which allows it to travel up to 311km on a single charge.
This is made possible by its powerful 578 kWh battery capacity, which provides ample energy to power the vehicle’s electric drivetrain.
In addition, the bus can be charged quickly thanks to its 200 kW charging capacity, which reduces downtime and ensures that it is ready for the next trip.
The BYD K11M is also designed with passenger comfort and safety in mind.
The spacious interior provides ample room for passengers to stretch out and relax, while the modern design and advanced features make it a pleasure to ride.
Additionally, the bus is equipped with advanced safety systems, such as automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and pedestrian detection, which help to reduce the risk of accidents and keep passengers safe.
Features:
- 18 meter length
- 2.6 meter width
- 3.4 meter height
- Seats up to 56 passengers
- Working range up to 193 miles (311km)
- Battery capacity 578 kWh
- Charging capacity 200 kW
- Charging time (AC / DC): 7.5-8h hrs / 4-4.5h hrs
Visit their website for more information.
Summary
As we move towards a more sustainable future, electric buses are becoming an increasingly popular choice for public transportation in cities around the world.
The five electric buses that we mentioned in this article offer impressive ranges, advanced safety features, and spacious, comfortable interiors.
These vehicles are paving the way towards a future of sustainable public transportation, helping to reduce emissions, noise, congestion, and accidents in cities around the globe.
As technology continues to advance, we can expect electric buses to become even more efficient, reliable, and affordable, making them an even more attractive option for urban transit agencies and passengers alike.
