In a bid to combat traffic congestion and air pollution, Hyundai has unveiled an electric double-decker bus, which is the first of its kind for the Korean automaker. The bus is the result of an 18-month development project that was also supported by the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport.
Let’s dive into the details – the bus accommodates up to 70 passengers, with 11 seats on the main floor and 59 on the upper deck. Apparently, that is 1.5 times more compared to that of a regular bus. There’s also two fixed-in-space wheelchairs, an automatic sliding ramp and low floor design, all specifically created with mobility impaired passengers in mind.
The bus, which measures nearly 13 metres long and four metres tall, features a 384 kWh water-cooled high-efficiency polymer battery. This offers a maximum driving range of 300 km on a single charge – a full charge can be completed in 72 minutes.
The battery provides juice for the 240 kW wheel motor axle that’s combined with another motor in the second axle to minimise loss of electricity. A rear-wheel steering system is deployed as well, which works in coherence with the front axle. Hyundai says this optimises steering performance, and presumably makes the bus easier to manoeuvre in the city.
For safety, the bus features Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with autonomous braking, as well as Lane Keeping Assist (LKA).
Hyundai’s head of commercial vehicle advanced engineering team, ByoungWoo Hwang said: “The double-decker electric bus is an environmentally friendly vehicle optimised for global eco-friendly trends. This will not only ultimately improve the air quality, but also contribute greatly to easing commuting hour traffic congestion by accommodating more passengers.”
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Double decks are inherently not safe. Once it tumbles during accidents the top floor crumbles. That is where most of the bus occupants are located.
Kuching also used electric bus recently in line with New Malaysia great focus in public transport.
Only have ONE thing to say to this… what are our Research Universities doing at par to this…?
Where we keep spurting words to encourage innovation and creativity… BUT are they even researching to create better n efficient electric propulsion units and paired with better and more efficient batteris to run public transport…? What are doing…? Why have they NOT come up with something like this for public use..?
Meh! We will have LPG powered flying cars soon according to our Ministers. This Hyundai bus pales in comparison.