CaetanoBus to launch new generation buses with CRRC at UITP Summit

A new generation of zero emission buses by CaetanoBus is on the launching pad. The pre launch will be held at UITP Summit 2025 in Hamburg. The new bus family by the Portuguese manufacturer will cover lengths from 8.5m to 18m, including of course the solo 12-meter product. What is interesting, the 18-metre model will include a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) version.

The new bus range by CaetanoBus, both BEV and FCEV, will be made using components and technology from Chinese rolling stock giant CRRC, which is also partnering with Ikarus in the Hungarian market.

CaetanoBus new products in cooperation with CRRC

CaetanoBus future battery electric buses are equipped with CATL BC5 battery systems—offering up to 465 kWh for 12-metre models, 700 kWh for 18-metre models, and up to 266 kWh for the 8.5-metre version. These modules “features high-energy-density LFP cells, designed for safety, fast charging, and long service life. These batteries support ultra-long cycle life exceeding 4,000 charge cycles, with minimal degradation over time, ensuring reliable performance over more than a decade of operation”, CaetanoBus says in a press note.

On the fuel cell side, Toyota technology remains in the heart of the Caetano hydrogen-powered buses, which are equipped with the Toyota Fuel Cell Stack Generation 2.5, delivering 70 kW of power. The battery pack also from CATL has been expanded to up to 130 kWh for 12-metre FC bus and up to 170 kWh for 18-metre FC buses, the company states.

CRRC provides powertrain and “an advanced 6-in-1 inverter system, which integrates six critical functions: drive motor control, generator control, DC/AC oil pump and air compressor control, DC/DC conversion, and high-voltage power distribution with insulation monitoring—into a single compact and robust unit. This compact unit and high level of integration reduces system weight by up to 70%, enhances electrical reliability, and significantly improves overall vehicle efficiency and safety. Built using CRRC’s proprietary high-voltage IGBT technology and direct liquid cooling, the system delivers industry-leading power density, long service life, and exceptional thermal performance—ideal for the rigorous demands of modern urban mobility”, quoting CaetanoBus press note.

Nuno Lago de Carvalho, CCO and member of the Executive Committee at CaetanoBus, highlights: “Through the joint development efforts of CaetanoBus and CRRC, combined with rigorous software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop testing, the new generation of Caetano buses represents the forefront of e-mobility engineering—delivering exceptional reliability, performance, and safety for a smarter, more sustainable transportation future. We are equally proud of our ability to scale this innovation across the entire Caetano product range, from 8.5m to 18m buses, using a common platform that supports both battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell technologies. This unified approach ensures maximum flexibility, efficiency, and the seamless integration of cutting-edge systems across all vehicle configurations”.