| CRRC eS12 MAX | |
 |
|
| Manufacturer | CRRC Electric |
| Bodywork | CRRC (integral) |
| Years in operation | 2026— (Expected) |
| Operators | SBS Transit |
| Technical Data | |
| Length | 12 metre |
| Motor | Permanent magnet synchronous motor |
| Battery | TBC kWh LFP |
| Accessibility | Low Floor |
| Emission Standard | Zero tailpipe emissions |
The CRRC eS12 MAX is a battery-electric, low-floor single-deck city bus produced by Chinese manufacturer CRRC Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd. (中车电动).
In 2025, Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) ordered 100 units as part of a larger procurement of 660 electric buses under Contract PT602. The buses feature a three-door configuration and are assigned the registration numbers SG3521G – SG3620D. The first units were registered on 21 October 2026 and 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.
CRRC previously supplied a CRRC TEG6125BEV03 single-deck electric bus to Singapore for revenue service trials conducted by the LTA. Registered as SG4006X, the bus was operated by Go-Ahead Singapore from December 2021 to January 2023.
CRRC subsequently introduced the CRRC CSR6120GLEVD2, marketed as the CRRC eD12, a double-deck electric bus developed in partnership with ST Engineering. It was exhibited at the Singapore International Transport Congress and Exhibition (SITCE) in November 2024, before being supplied to LTA revenue service trials and registered as SG4015U. It was operated by Go-Ahead Singapore from October 2025 to April 2026.
Bus model background
The eS12 MAX is a two-axle, single-deck bus model that was previously supplied to the New Zealand market since 2021 through local distributor Electric Autobus. The model is also identified by the designation CRRC CSR6113GLEV4. The buses entered service in Auckland in 2021 as part of the city’s CityLINK electric bus fleet.
LTA Tender & Production Batch
In December 2025, ST Engineering Mobility Services Pte. Ltd. was awarded Contract PT602A worth S$35.7 million for the supply of 100 single-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 eS12 MAX for the single-deck portion of this procurement.
Under a separate component of the same procurement, Contract PT602B, ST Engineering was awarded a contract worth S$79.0 million for 150 double-deck electric buses. CRRC eD12 MAX buses will be supplied in this portion of the tender.
Both CRRC bus models were sighted in Singapore sometime in late September or early October 2026. The first 8 units, namely SG3521G, SG3522D, SG3523B, SG3524Z, SG3525X, SG3526T, SG3529K, and SG3530E, were registered on 21 October 2026 under SBS Transit.
These buses were deployed by SBS Transit to provide shuttle services for delegates attending the Singapore Urban Mobility Week (SUMW) 2026, held at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre in November 2026.
Specifications
| CRRC eS12 MAX – Specifications |
|
| Battery | CATL Lithium iron phosphate battery |
| Driver Assistance | TNT Surveillance – Integrated Display Screen – T-CMS831 Camera mirror system – Forward collision warning system & lane departure warning (T-FA Front Alert Camera) – Side collision warning system (T-SA Side Alert Cameras) – Anti-Fatigue system (T-DA Driver Alert Camera) – Surround view camera system (T-A.I. 360°) |
| EDS | TONGDA Electric Electronic Display Sign (EDS) Full Colour LED |
| PIDS | TONGDA Electric Passenger Information Display System (PIDS) Exterior-facing LCD Screen & Interior-facing LCD Screen LED Text Display |
| Other Specifications | • Xinder EWR-TD03 2-in-1 Wheelchair Ramp • USB charging ports (USB-A & USB-C) • Retractable Stroller Restraint |
Features
The CRRC eS12 MAX features a full-low-floor lower deck with no steps along the main passenger aisle, despite LTA removing the mandatory full-low-floor requirement during the Contract PT602 tender. Steps leading to raised seating platforms are generally limited to 230 mm, or 300 mm for seats above the wheel arches.
Wall-mounted foldable seats are fitted at the wheelchair bays, providing additional seating when these spaces are not required by wheelchair users.
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.
Gallery:
Singapore Urban Mobility Week (SUMW) 2026 Shuttle
The new buses should enter service on 19 Nov 2026
I heard that the doors resemble that of Hong Kong buses
I saw the buses on test, and nearly got it confused for the BYD B12A03 until I saw the front which resembles the CRRC ED12
This might possibly be showcased at SUMW
It wasn’t, but during the event, it provided shuttles to delegates