Van Hool ships first electric coach to USA
Belgium-based Van Hool has shipped the first CX45E, a 100 per cent battery electric coach, to the US. The CX45E is now being commercially launched by Van Hool’s North American exclusive distributor ABC Bus Companies Inc. An additional 10 units will be shipped to the US in the first half of 2021. The all-electric CX45E will then be delivered to two North American customers.
The CX45E is an electric-powered coach developed for the North American market and incorporates E2 batteries from Proterra. The electric coach has a range of up to 500km. according to Van Hool, depending on the climate conditions and the route’s topography.
“A few years ago we put the first technical concepts of the CX45E on paper, and today the end-result leaves for the US,” says Filip Van Hool, CEO. “We were of course able to draw on our vast experience we have built up over decades in the design and production of electric buses. In 1985 we built the first trolley electric buses. In 2005 we were the first manufacturer to design a hydrogen-powered electric bus for the North American market, and the platform of our successful Exqui.City trambus can be equipped with different electric drivetrains.
“In total, more than 1,000 electrically-powered vehicles have left Van Hool’s factory. And we will continue our efforts to market environmentally friendly and cost-efficient electric vehicles in the future, both in Europe and in our second home market North America.
“Though not as prominent as in North America, in Europe too we see growing interest in a European version of the electric coach. With the experience gained in developing the CX45E, we firmly believe we are ready to quickly deliver a solution for customers who are looking for such a product, if European interest becomes more pronounced.”
The CX45E was designed, developed and prototyped at the parent company in Koningshooikt, Belgium and the first ten CX45E coaches planned for the first half of 2021 will also come from the Belgian factory.