At the Kobe Sports Park (P18 parking lot, special venue), where the event was held, we saw exhibits and booths related to current industry trends such as “EV buses,” “DX-ization of operation systems,” and “safety assurance,” so let us introduce them here.
The “2025 Bus Tech Forum,” where the latest technologies and trends in the bus industry, including the latest bus vehicles, operation management systems, and safety systems, were gathered, was held on May 23 in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture.
The urban-type bus can accommodate 70 passengers and is equipped with an air-conditioning package specially designed for electric buses. The person in charge of the bus asked, “Isn’t it difficult to drive the bus with the heavy battery on the ceiling? However, according to the person in charge, the bus handles very smoothly.
Japan’s first full-scale EV bus, the ERGA EV, launched in May 2024, is 10.5 meters long, uses wheel motors, and is fully flat to the very back, making it easy to quickly get to the rear seats.
BYD’s EV buses have been introduced across the board by major private railways in the Kansai region, and according to the person in charge, large and small buses are doing well, and the company hopes to popularize the medium-sized buses exhibited here in the future.
It has a capacity for 80 urban and 76 suburban passengers. They have a range of 240 km (with air conditioning activated) and are equipped with 11 USB ports.
BYD (BYD Auto Industry), which has been selling commercial vehicles in Japan since 2005, is equipped with its own “blade battery. It has achieved a stable cruising range. At this year’s BusTech, the company exhibited the K8, a popular EV bus, and the J7, a medium-sized EV.
Aiming to replace small buses in Japan, the company has adopted a by-wire system (control by electric signals) for gas pedal, irregularities, steering, and other parts of the vehicle. The company is also looking to meet the requirements of Level 4 automated driving.
The 6.99-meter model (wheelbase 4.5 m) with a capacity of 20/24 passengers and the 5.99-meter model (wheelbase 3.5 m) with a capacity of 11 passengers are available, and the 6.99-meter model will be on display. The 5.99-meter model is being introduced for use by kings, presidents, prime ministers, and other distinguished guests who will use the Guest House at the Osaka-Kansai Expo.
However, he says there are still issues to be addressed, such as the inability to add toilets due to the space available for the equipment, and some quirks in the operation of the system.
This is the first large EV sightseeing bus in Japan with an overall length of 12 meters. It has a large-capacity through-load trunk compartment, a “cruising range of 350 km” (about 250 km even when fully loaded and traveling at 70-80 km/h), a capacity of 51 passengers, and a maximum speed of 100 km/h. It is comparable to a regular large bus.
The EV bus (electric bus) market has entered an era of maturity, and the latest models from companies such as EV Motors Japan, BYD, and Isuzu Motors were on display.
Fun to ride! Fun Bus & Related Parts
The venue also exhibited rare vehicles and parts that bus fans would not normally be able to see.
© Source travel watch
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.