Switch Mobility will shortly unveil a new battery-electric product, initially for left-hand drive European and Asia Pacific markets, that it says is expected to be “the lightest widely available 12m zero-emission bus in the market.” A right-hand drive version will follow later.
The new model will debut at the BUS2BUS show in Berlin on 27 and 28 April, where it will sit alongside a pair of battery-electric Metrocity models (pictured). The newcomer will also be displayed at the European Expo in Paris on 7 June.
Switch Mobility says that the European market is key to its future. The 12m model will thus be the focus of its first facility in mainland Europe. Construction of that factory in Valladolid began in March. The vehicle will use a monocoque design and NMC battery chemistry. When combined with Switch’s data analysis and “digital twin” approach, that will allow routes to be mapped and optimised.
Says Chief Marketing and Sustainability Officer Peter Freedman: “Breaking ground on our first site in mainland Europe last month was a key milestone in our growth story and Europe is a significant market for Switch.
“I am confident that Switch will play an important role in supporting Europe’s charge to green mobility, using advanced technology to make travel easier, cleaner and more efficient. Our upcoming 12m bus is a significant next step in this endeavour, and I am incredibly excited for its formal launch in June.”
