Bluebus launches a new version of its 6-metre e-bus. After ten years in operation and over 15 million km travelled, the vehicles has been redesigned.

The main new feature is related to passenger capacity: on board there is room for up to 35 passengers. It means «a 25% gain compared to the previous version», says the French company, which is also involved in Parisian massive e-bus deployment (158 12-meter vehicles to be delivered by 2023).

Bluebus 6m with more battery capacity

The new bus has increased density electric batteries for greater range, features a new powertrain and, as its predecessor, incorporates Blue Solutions’ “all-solid” LMP batteries, which are also entirely manufactured in France. A monocoque frame helps to maximise passenger capacity, as mentioned above.

The support of France Relance scheme has enabled the development of this new version of the 6-metre Bluebus to be accelerated. Today 220 people in Ergué-Gabéric in Brittany are employed by Bluebus for the production of buses and 300 people for the production of batteries.
This new vehicle is also of interest to many manufacturers in the context of research and development of future autonomous vehicles, Bluebus points out (a project is underway with Navya).

Highlights

Driver shortage pushes bus depots toward automation

Europe’s public transport operators are entering a period where staffing pressure and fleet electrification meet in the same place: the bus depot. Around 105,000 bus and coach driver positions remain unfilled across Europe (IRU figures cited in sector analyses), and a meaningful slice of working tim...

Related articles

Hochbanh to deploy up to 240 electric buses in Hamburg by 2031

New developments are on the horizon for the Hochbahn fleet, Hamburg’s public transport operator: after embarking on the electrification of its vehicle fleet in recent years — with 350 Mercedes-Benz eCitaro buses scheduled for delivery by December 2030 — the company has announced that it will purchas...

Ebusco, from revolutionary promises to the race for survival

Ebusco, that started operations in Europe in 2012, remains under pressure to stabilize its operations and secure long-term viability. The company is currently implementing a Turnaround Plan that includes the transition to a OED (Original Equipment Designer) company, with outsourced production. Let'...