Marcopolo electric bus arrives in Chile for tests

By Redação AutoIndústria | Translated by Jorge Meditsch

Marcopolo started this month tests with its 100% Attivi electric bus in Santiago, Chile. The Brazilian company wants to expand its presence in markets that invest consistently in electromobility. The vehicle will be used in diverse urban areas of the Andean country capital enabling operators to evaluate its performance in routes served by conventional diesel buses.

The information was released this Thursday, 2/9, by André Armaganijan, Marcopolo’s International Business, Commercial Operations and External Market director. The Attivi full production in Brazil has recently begun.

“We have been involved for some years in different projects of vehicles driven by renewable sources. Clean technology is a world trend, and the company is present in various markets with strategic partnerships to provide the best solutions for each country”, asserted Armaganijan.

The traditional manufacturer from Caxias do Sul, RS, currently has more than 350 electric and hybrid buses in operation in diverse countries, such as Argentina, Colombia, Australia, India and Brazil, with partner’s chassis. The Attivi tested in Chile is 12-meter long and has a Low Entry chassis. It is equipped with a 350 kW motor with 3,500 Nm torque.

It has a ZF RL82A front axle, a ZF A132 rear drive-axle, ZF air suspension, a Knorr brake system and CATL 350 kWh batteries enabling a 230 to 280 km range, depending on use conditions. It can carry 90 passengers, 34 accommodated in City seats with headrests.

The model has a Valeo Revo E air-conditioning equipment incorporated into the batteries cooling system. It offers wheelchair space and people with disabilities, as well as full-LED internal lighting, LED headlights and rear lights and a separate driver’s cabin.

Photo: Marcopolo