| Scania CLFÂ C 250E B4x2EI | |
 |
|
| Manufacturer | Scania (chassis) |
| Bodywork | Gemilang Coachworks |
| Years in operation | TBA |
| Operators | TBA |
| Technical Data | |
| Length | 12 metre |
| Motor | Electric motor |
| Battery | Likely NMC |
| Accessibility | Low floor |
| Emission Standard | Zero tailpipe emissions |
In January 2023, Swedish bus manufacturer Scania brought in an electric two-door city bus for the Singapore market. This bus is likely built on the low-floor Scania C-chassis and assembled in Malaysia by Gemilang Coachworks, based on the Scania Citywide integral bus design. The confirmed model name will be updated when the bus is formally registered.
This is Scania’s first foray into Singapore’s electric bus scene and comes as the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is preparing to rapidly electrify the public bus fleet. Half of all public buses will be electric by 2030, which is about 3,000 buses.
Locally, Scania previously delivered 1,101 Scania K230UB Euro IV / V diesel buses to SBS Transit, also bodied by Gemilang Coachworks. Registered between 2007 and 2010, these buses will reach their statutory retirement age starting in 2024, and some of these buses have already retired early in 2022.
Chassis Background
Scania unveiled its fully-electric Scania Citywide bus back in October 2019, with a similar electric drivetrain offered as the Scania C-chassis. Both the integral bus and this chassis can be configured as 2-axle or articulated versions, with either a Euro VI combustion engine (diesel/HVO/natural gas/biogas) or a full-electric powertrain.
For the electric version, Scania offers a 300 kW electric motor paired with a two-speed gearbox to optimise energy consumption. Traction batteries are of the Lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide variety, better known as Lithium NMC. Battery capacities of 254 kWh or 330 kWh are available, configured as 8 or 10 battery packs with 4 in the rear and 4 or 6 on the roof. Both conventional depot charging (DC, up to 150 kW) and opportunity charging (up to 300 kW) modes are compatible.
Other buses built on Scania’s C-chassis include the Nelec electric bus by Carrocera Castrosua, as well as upcoming orders for the Australian market.
Bodywork
The Singapore demonstrator is built by Malaysia-based coachbuilder Gemilang Coachworks, with an exterior design mirroring the Scania Citywide integral bus, which Scania assembles in Poland.
The drivetrain and cooling components are positioned on the left side of the chassis, which makes it difficult to add a third door to the bus’ design. European bus models, designed for a predominantly left-hand-drive (LHD) market, have drivetrain components positioned on the left side to allow for a three-door layout on the right side. However, in right-hand-drive (RHD) markets, this design hinders the addition of a third door, and with the smaller market for 3-door RHD buses, few such bus models have been produced. In March 2023, LTA’s first bulk order of electric buses under Contract PT601 (roughly 400 buses) specified 3 doors as a requirement for these buses.
The Volvo BZL – SC Neustar City uses a similar drivetrain layout, offset to the left of the chassis. However, the bus still manages to include a third door directly behind the drivetrain.
Technical Specifications (TBC)
| Scania 2-door Electric Bus for Singapore | ||
| Chassis | Scania CLFÂ C 250E B4x2EI Electric | |
| Electric Driveline | Scania electric motor – Maximum power/torque of 300 kW / 2100 Nm – Continuous power of 250 kW (R85) – Scania GE21S21 two-speed adapter gearbox |
|
| Energy Storage | Lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) traction batteries – Either 8 or 10 battery packs (total 254 kWh or 330 kWh) |
|
| Bodywork | Gemilang Coachworks bodywork EcoRange aluminium bus body; full-low-floor layout |
|
| Â | ||
Like the Volvo BZL, Scania’s C-chassis also comes with a two-speed adapter gearbox to optimise energy efficiency.
Social Media
Facebook post by Scania Singapore on 16 February 2023, showing the bus being assembled at Gemilang Coachworks.
In January 2024, an electric Scania Fencer F1 was spotted in Hong Kong configured in right-hand drive with the cooling components mounted on the right, indicating that such a layout was possible and could be offered to the local market should future orders materialise.
Gallery
See Also:
Other 3-Door electric buses in Singapore:
- Ankai G9
- BYD B12
- CRRC TEG6125BEV03
- LexSWITCH E12 SD
- Linkker LM312
- Volvo BZL – SC Neustar City
- Zhongtong LCK6126EVG
References:
- Scania C-chassis LF | Scania Singapore [Accessed 20 Jan 2023]
- Scania C-chassis LF | Scania Group [Accessed 20 Jan 2023]
- CastrosĂşa Nelec bus with electric chassis Scania expects to start road tests in Brazil | Busworld Latin America 2023 [Accessed 20 Jan 2023]
What happen to this bus ?
I think it was rejected. I saw a picture of it at LTA HQ. It probably got rejected to one simple fact: The absence of a 3rd door. Unfortunately, i believe the scenario now is: Those bus manufacturers unable to produce a 12m electric bus with 3 doors can forget about expanding their footprint in the Singapore’s land transport business. If you ask me personally, is a 3rd door really, absolutely necessary? LTA already created plenty of standing space with the inclusion of 2 wheelchair slots. Now they want bus manufacturers to compulsory add a 3rd door without even the possibility of extending the chassis a bit. Not even by 0.5m. I am not an engineering expert by any means, but if a 3rd door is really deemed as a so called improvement or added feature, then i am really at a loss for words.
Yay!
Could this bus model be the one to be mass produced to replaced the retiring Scania KUB buses? If so and even if not, SBST is likely to get majority of them(80-85%) since the upcoming mass replacement of buses is for the KUBS and they are all owned and operated by SBST only. Wouldnt be surprise if they get all but i think SMRT/TTS/GAS will get like 1 or a few while SBST get most of them…that is if this Scania Electric Bus get chosen….ironic it would be if Scania replaced Scania. Hopefully this new Scania Bus wont be as shaky and bumpy like the KUBS. Have to compliment the KUBS on their strong aircon and spacious feels tho, whatever aircon model they have, please be the one used for future buses.
Zhongtongs and BYDS are coming to replace the KUBs
the bus replaces its self.
This is more i like it rather than majority Chinese e buses…LTA just buy Volvo,Scania,MAN,ADL,BYD & Yutong.
You mentioned BYD & Yutong, they are Chinese e buses.
Wow this bus looks cool.