CRRC eD12 MAX (LTA PT602 Production Batch)

CRRC eD12 MAX
Manufacturer	CRRC Electric
Bodywork	Gemilang Coachworks
Years in operation	2026— (Expected)
Operators	TBA
Technical Data
Length	12 metre
Motor	Permanent magnet synchronous motor
Battery	TBC kWh LFP
Accessibility	Low floor
Emission Standard	Zero tailpipe emissions

The CRRC eD12 MAX is a battery-electric, low-floor double-deck city bus model manufactured by CRRC Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd. (中车电动), a Chinese builder of electric buses.

Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) ordered 150 units in 2025, as part of a larger order for 660 electric buses. The buses feature a three-door configuration and two staircases and are assigned the registration numbers SG7010M–SG7159T. They are expected to enter passenger service at the end of 2026.

The procurement supports Singapore’s broader transition to an electric public bus fleet, with LTA targeting half of the public bus fleet to be electric by 2030. Further information on Singapore’s electric bus rollout is detailed in the article Electric Buses in Singapore.

Manufacturer Background

CRRC Electric is a Chinese electric bus manufacturer and a subsidiary of China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC), a state-owned conglomerate specialising in rail vehicles and related equipment. The wider CRRC group also has an established presence in Singapore’s railway industry. In addition to manufacturing complete buses, CRRC Electric supplies electric drive systems and control electronics for electric vehicles.

Bus model Background

In March 2024, the CRRC ED12 bodied by Gemilang Coachworks was first unveiled in New Zealand, as Auckland’s first electric double-decker bus, and entered service with Kinetic the following month (registered NB5400). Later in October 2024, Tranzit Group unveiled a similar Gemilang-bodied CRRC eD12 MAX as part of a fleet of 26 units acquired for service in Waikato and Auckland. These buses are equipped with 508 kWh CATL batteries and have a capacity of 80 seated and 20 standing passengers.

A CRRC eD12 configured for the Singapore market, with three doors and two staircases, was first unveiled at the Singapore International Transport Congress and Exhibition (SITCE) in November 2024. Developed through a ST Engineering–Gemilang Coachworks collaboration to meet Singapore requirements, the same unit was later supplied to LTA revenue service trials and registered as SG4015U. It was operated by Go-Ahead Singapore from October 2025 to April 2026.

In October 2025, another CRRC eD12 bus was exhibited at Busworld 2025 in Belgium, this time built to New Lantao Bus specifications. The bus was shipped to Hong Kong after the event, but has yet to enter service as of October 2026.

LTA Tender & Production Batch

In December 2025, ST Engineering Mobility Services Pte. Ltd. was awarded Contract PT602B worth S$79.0 million for the supply of 150 double-deck electric buses. The order formed part of the LTA’s wider procurement of 660 electric buses under Contract PT602, which also involved Chinese manufacturers BYD, Yutong and Zhongtong. ST Engineering supplied the CRRC eD12 MAX for the double-deck portion of this procurement, representing a unit cost of roughly S$526,666 per bus.

Under a separate component of the same procurement, Contract PT602A, ST Engineering was awarded a contract worth S$35.7 million for 100 single-deck electric buses. The single-deck buses are badged as CRRC eS12 MAX buses.

Both CRRC bus models were sighted in Singapore sometime in late September or early October 2026. Further information on their technical specifications and final model designation may become available as the vehicles enter service.

Ahead of its revenue service debut, one unit (SG7010M) was exhibited to the public on Saturday, 7 November 2026, at the Public Transport Workers’ Appreciation Day carnival held at the Hillion Mall Outdoor Event Space in Bukit Panjang.

Specifications

Model Overview & Exterior

CRRC eD12 MAX buses delivered under Contract PT602 are built by Gemilang Coachwork Sdn Bhd in Senai, Malaysia, and shipped to Singapore as completed buses. As a product of an ST Engineering–Gemilang Coachworks collaboration, the bus is also very similar in design to the earlier demonstrator unit unveiled in 2024.

ST Engineering and Malaysian bodybuilder Gemilang Coachworks have partnered on multiple public bus projects in Singapore, acting as a systems integrator / local dealer and bus body manufacturer for the Land Transport Authority (LTA), respectively. Existing buses delivered to LTA include diesel MAN A22, MAN A24, and MAN A95 buses, while for electric buses, a further 20 Linkker LM312 buses were delivered in 2021.

CRRC eD12 MAX (SG7010M) at the Public Transport Workers' Appreciation Day 2026

CRRC eD12 MAX (SG7010M) at the Public Transport Workers' Appreciation Day 2026

CRRC eD12 MAX (SG7010M) at the Public Transport Workers' Appreciation Day 2026

Compared with fellow Chinese electric DD rivals—the BYD BC12A05 and Zhongtong LCK6126EVGS—the CRRC stands out for its Gemilang Coachworks assembly. Its design is a tall, slab-sided box with tall window lines, aligning it more closely with the visual DNA of Singapore’s existing MAN double-deck bus fleet.

In terms of styling, both front and rear EDS units are wrapped in a black surround that extends towards the upper deck window, which minimises the clear vertical break between upper and lower decks. The headlight unit is also sharp and angular, with diagonal LEDs for the daytime running lamps and signals integrated into the housing, for a minimalist yet functional look.

Full-colour Electronic Display Signs (EDS) are fitted, including a larger rear display capable of showing the bus service number and destination, as well as visual alerts to surrounding road users when the bus is stopping, moving off, or when passengers are boarding and alighting. These additional alert functions are scheduled to be activated in 2027, according to an LTA factsheet published in November 2026.

Buses are painted in LTA’s unified Lush Green base livery, with accompanying SGBUS decals. The traditional wing mirrors are also replaced with a high-definition Camera mirror system (from TNT Surveillance). Tongda Electric supplies the Electronic Display Signs (EDS).

Interior Showcase

The CRRC eD12 MAX features a fully low-floor design for step-free access throughout the bus. LTA’s PT602 specifications require a three-door, two-staircase layout for ease of passenger movement, with the rearmost door located behind the rear axle. This comes at the cost of seating capacity.

The lower deck of the bus is fitted with just 14 seats and 2 wheelchair bays.

CRRC eD12 MAX - Lower deck seating

CRRC eD12 MAX - Lower deck seating

CRRC eD12 MAX - Lower deck Rear to Front

CRRC eD12 MAX - Third door area and lower deck aisle

Seats are upholstered in blue for general use (10 seats) and maroon for priority seating (4 seats). Notably, the wheelarch seats do not use conventional bench seats, but are instead formed with upholstery mounted directly onto body panels. This could be to reduce the lengthwise clearance needed to mount seats facing away from each other, thereby maximising the legroom for these otherwise space-constrained seats. This, however, comes at a cost of comfort, and these seats are also missing a handlebar at the rear.

Accessibility

LTA specifications call for two wheelchair bays for passengers travelling in wheelchairs (PIWs) or using personal mobility aids.

The forward wheelchair bay (beside the exit door) has two foldable seats, while the rear wheelchair bay (opposite the exit door) has one foldable seat integrated into the backrest. These foldable seats do not count towards the seating capacity.

CRRC eD12 MAX - Wheelchair bay

CRRC eD12 MAX - Wheelchair bay

CRRC eD12 MAX - Wheelchair ramp

Pivoting handlebars can be deployed or stowed, depending on the needs of the PIW.

Contract PT602 buses come fitted with 2-in-1 wheelchair ramps, which can be deployed either manually or automatically.

Stairs

PT602 specifications add staircase lighting to provide clear visual cues to commuters. A red light indicates that the bus is moving and commuters should avoid using the stairs where possible, while a green light indicates that the bus is stationary and the stairs may be used safely.

CRRC eD12 MAX - Front staircase

CRRC eD12 MAX - Rear staircase

CRRC eD12 MAX - Third door area

Upper Deck

The upper deck seats 53 passengers.

CRRC eD12 MAX - Upper deck Front to Rear

CRRC eD12 MAX - Upper deck front

CRRC eD12 MAX - Upper deck rear

CRRC eD12 MAX - Upper deck Rear to Front

Driver Cabin

The driver’s cabin is fitted with a TNT Surveillance Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) and Anti-Fatigue System, which integrates lane departure warning, forward collision warning, distance monitoring, pedestrian detection, side blind spot monitoring, and driver fatigue/distraction monitoring features into a single system. A single dashboard-mounted touchscreen display is used as the display screen and controller.

CRRC eD12 MAX - Driver's cab

CRRC eD12 MAX - Dashboard

CRRC eD12 MAX - Camera mirror system and driver cab roof controls

Additionally, the bus uses a Camera mirror system instead of traditional wing mirrors. Two vertical CCTV monitors replicate the view of wing mirrors, while a third overhead monitor provides an overhead view of the front and front-left blind spots.

Gallery

Pre-Delivery

CRRC eD12 MAX bus undergoing assembly in Gemilang Coachwork

CRRC electric buses delivered to Singapore (LTA Contract PT602 buses)

References:

• Auckland’s first electric double decker bus rolls on busy route | 1News NZ
• Tranzit Group launches new double decker electric bus at BCA conference | Australasian Bus & Coach [Accessed 6 Nov 2024]
• ST Engineering Showcases Smart Mobility Solutions Shaping the Future of Urban Mass Transit – ST Engineering [Accessed 6 Nov 2024]
• Three-Door Double-Decker Electric Bus – ST Engineering [Accessed 6 Nov 2024]
• Bus World 2025: CRRC EV Debuts Two All-Electric Buses, Introduces Digital-Intelligent Low-Carbon Urban Transit System to Redefine Smarter Urban Mobility
• Factsheet: More Electric Buses with Improved Accessibility, Comfort and Safety Features from End 2026 – Land Transport Authority [4 Nov 2026]

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