ALTAS AUTO introduces new electric bus to European carriers

ALTAS AUTO, one of Europe’s leading minibus manufacturers, has expanded its range of electric buses with the introduction of its fourth model—the Altas Novus City V7, which accommodates up to 35 passengers. This new addition is set to appeal to European city carriers due to its compact yet spacious design, reliability, and functionality. The bus complies with the tightened EU safety requirements and marks ALTAS AUTO’s entry into the growing segment of higher-capacity buses across Europe.

This strategic step was achieved through ALTAS AUTO’s collaboration with “Zhongtong Bus”, one of the world’s largest electric bus manufacturers, which has 15 years of experience in the field. A year after signing a partnership agreement, the two companies have successfully developed a bus that meets European standards and quality expectations.

“Zhongtong Bus” will supply the bus body with core components, including the integrated electric drive system, batteries, and chassis. ALTAS AUTO will finalize the buses, tailoring them to European requirements with many engineering solutions designed by Lithuanian engineers. This includes the integration of interior elements, audiovisual surveillance, safety systems, and an ergonomic driver’s station, all meeting EU safety regulations.

 

This strategic partnership will enable ALTAS AUTO to further develop a new series of medium-sized buses that will align with the increasingly demanding EU safety and quality requirements.

 

“Over the past two decades, we have gained extensive knowledge of the European minibus market and its customers’ needs,” said Edvardas Radzevičius, CEO of ALTAS AUTO. “We also have deep experience in maintaining public transport vehicles in highly demanding markets such as Scandinavia and Germany.

By collaborating with “Zhongtong Bus”, we will integrate their expertise in EV drivetrains and other high-quality components from global manufacturers. Together, we have a unique opportunity to deliver a high-quality product at a price point that meets European standards,” added Mr. Radzevičius.

The new “Altas Novus City V7” bus, measuring 7.5 meters in length and 2.1 meters in width, combines the best characteristics of both small and medium-sized buses. It is well-suited for narrow city streets in Europe, where traditional buses struggle, and also efficient for serving lower-density suburban areas.

The bus will accommodate up to 35 passengers, with up to 16 seated. It features top-quality components from global suppliers, including a Dana TM4 electric motor from Canada with a power output of up to 200 kW and CATL lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of 140 kWh. This ensures a range of up to 309 km on a single charge, even with a full load of passengers.

Development and Testing

This autumn, ALTAS AUTO completed a year-long engineering development and testing phase for the bus, finalized the homologation process, and is now ready for mass production. Typically, it takes 6-8 months from order placement to delivery to EU clients.

“Over the past year, we tested the V7 bus in various conditions—from the Arctic Circle in Finland to the narrow and hot roads of Italy’s Amalfi Coast and even climbing Mount Vesuvius.

This February, we launched a European tour of the V7, giving carriers across the continent the chance to test the bus firsthand. In Italy’s Trentino region, we drove the fully loaded bus through highly mountainous areas, pushing the electric motor to its limits in extreme conditions.

Partners from Italy, Germany, Denmark, and other countries were impressed with the bus’s quality, ergonomics, and moderate power consumption. We believe other European carriers will also be pleasantly surprised by the bus’s technical capabilities, interior quality, and ergonomic driver’s station.

European public transport companies demonstrated strong interest in the “Altas Novus City V7”. After gathering their feedback, we implemented several improvements into the final product and are proud to offer a well-designed bus that combines the compactness of a minibus with the functionality of a medium-sized public transport vehicle,” said Radzevičius, CEO of ALTAS AUTO.

European  public transportation companies interested in learning more about the new “Altas Novus City V7” bus are invited for a viewing of the new bus with the official sales representatives of Altas Auto.

More info: sales@altasauto.com