New 14-seat electric commuter bus lands in Australia

A new 14-seat electric commuter bus has arrived in Australia from Chinese automaker Joylong and is immediately available for retail and fleet sales in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth.

The Joylong E6 electric bus is aready “well-proven” in Asian markets, according to importer Global Automotive Distributors, and boasts a driving range of around 300kms in city areas and 280kms on the highway.

It has a 60kW liquid-cooled electric motor generating peak torque of 382Nm, and an 86.1kWh lithium iron phosphate battery which can be recharged through a 22kW OBC Euro-type socket.

Charging from empty to full using a 20-amp circuit takes five hours, while a 32-amp circuit will finish the job in just under 4 hours, or from 20% to 80% in 2.3 hours.

“It’s very easy and comfortable to drive, and with the battery pack centrally located under the floor the low centre of gravity enhances safety in tight and twisty city environs,” said Frank Johnson, managing director of Global Automotive Distributors.

“We opted for the 6-metre length to make sure there was much more open space in the passenger area and plenty of Aussie leg room.”

Joylong claims that the economics of the vehicle will result in payback within 2 years, and the E6 has been tested in Australia over a two-year period.

The Joylong E6 will cost around the $90,000 mark drivea-way, depending on which state or territory it is purchased in.

Johnson tells The Driven there will be no negotiation for fleets, and that there is stock in the country right now. More stock can be arranged in 12-14 weeks pending the ever-present threat of shipping and logistics delays.