TSA to present LD and HD.T3 motors for electric buses at Busworld in Brussels

Authored and sponsored by TSA

When it comes to building the backbone of electric public transport, Traktionssysteme Austria (TSA) is one of the few manufacturers in Europe that combines deep engineering heritage with industrial-scale production. With more than 90,000 electric motors delivered and over 65 years of experience in electric drives, TSA is known for powering vehicles for rail and road applications that run reliably day in and day out – for decades. 

TSA: a new dedicated factory for ROAD-motors manufacturing

To meet the increasing demand for electric drives, TSA has recently expanded its production capacity. Its new dedicated factory for ROAD-motors manufacturing, located right next to the company’s headquarters in Wiener Neudorf, Austria, is focused on the industrialized production of permanent magnet synchronous motors. In this facility, TSA can produce up to 9,000 motors per year, ensuring both scalability and rapid availability for the market. 

“What we’re offering is more than just hardware,” says Marius Kohnle, Head of TSA’s ROAD division. “It’s a partnership. Whether you’re launching a new vehicle platform or upgrading an existing fleet, our team works closely with you to find the ideal drive solution – one that’s efficient, robust and future-proof.” 

At Busworld Europe 2025 in Brussels, TSA will present two standout motors from its ROAD-motors portfolio: the agile light-duty LD motor for compact and mid-size electric buses, and the heavy-duty motor HD.T3, designed to perform in the toughest city-center duty cycles. TSA’s Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM) represent one of the most advanced and durable solutions available today. With an efficiency beyond 97%, they rank among the most efficient drive systems available. Whether battery-electric or hydrogen-powered, from 3,5-ton vans to 30-ton articulated buses, TSA’s four scalable motor types cover the full range of applications. 

TSA HD.T3 – The Heavy-Duty Heart of Urban Mobility 

The HD.T3 is TSA’s flagship motor for full-size electric city buses. Built to deliver exceptionally high torque, durability, and ready for seamless integration, it has become the drive of choice for OEMs who demand performance combined with flexibility. From 12-meter city buses to articulated 18-meter vehicles, the HD.T3 powers electric buses across Europe in countries such as Sweden, Poland, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Austria. 

“At Solaris, the HD.T3 is used in a wide range of zero-emission buses. It’s a great example of how one motor platform can be adapted to multiple vehicle types,” explains Kohnle. 

The HD.T3 is based on a modular structural design concept: electromagnetic and mechanical properties can quickly be customized to match specific requirements – whether for routes with challenging topography or climate conditions. With 97%+ efficiency, it minimizes energy losses and maximizes vehicle range. The motor has proven itself not only in terms of performance, but also in terms of reliability. “In terms of their uptime and utilization factors, buses are not cars,” Kohnle emphasizes. “They often run for more than 12 hours every day and can cover up to one million kilometers in their lifetime. Our motors are designed to last that long – and they do.” 

Proven Performance, Trusted by OEMs 

In 2024, TSA and Solaris Bus & Coach signed a major framework agreement: 1,500 HD.T3 motors will be delivered over the next three years, underlining the trust that major manufacturers place in TSA’s technology. TSA produces around 50 HD.T3 motors per month for Solaris alone, all developed and manufactured in Austria. 

What sets the HD.T3 apart is its versatility: the same motor can be deployed in flat cityscapes and in hilly urban areas where higher continuous torque is needed. Thanks to TSA’s advanced thermal design and insulation system, the motor remains stable even under extreme load and temperature conditions which is a vital trait for stop-and-go traffic. 

“Our insulation systems, honed through decades of rail experience, is the best in the ROAD market,” says Kohnle. “We bring that durability into the road segment – and it makes a real difference in daily operation.” 

LD Motor – Compact, Efficient, and Ready for the City 

As the electric bus market diversifies, so do the demands on drive systems. TSA’s LD motor, a compact permanent magnet synchronous motor solution developed for light-duty applications, addresses the needs of smaller vehicles: minibuses, autonomous shuttles, and agile city buses. 

Introduced in 2024, the LD motor has already been in use in commercial vehicles in Switzerland and under evaluation by several vehicle manufacturers across Europe. 

“With the LD motor, we wanted to offer a reliable and efficient solution for vehicles that need to be nimble and lightweight but still deliver strong acceleration and regenerative braking,” explains Kohnle. 

Despite its size, the LD motor is built with TSA’s trademark durability and is optimized for low maintenance. Just as all TSA ROAD-products, the LD motor is 100% made in Europe. 

Find out more about these motors and meet TSA team at Busworld Europe 2025 

The agile electric motors from TSA’s ROAD portfolio offer the perfect solution for bus electrification. At Busworld Europe, visitors will be able to explore both the HD.T3 and LD motor up close and connect with TSA’s experts from Engineering, Sales, and Production. 

“Electric mobility is not just about reducing emissions,” concludes Kohnle. “It’s about building reliable, smart, and efficient systems that can power cities sustainably for years to come. That’s what we stand for and that’s what we’ll show in Brussels.” 

Meet TSA at Busworld Europe 2025 – Hall 6, Stand 608 and explore the next generation of electric motors for buses.