| Zhongtong LCK6126EVG (N12) | |
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| Manufacturer | Zhongtong Bus Holding Co., Ltd. |
| Bodywork | NA (integral) |
| Years in operation | 2024 – |
| Operators | SBS Transit Tower Transit Go-Ahead Singapore SMRT Buses |
| Technical Data | |
| Length | 11.99 m |
| Motor | Dana–Prestolite TM4 SUMO MD |
| Battery | CATL LFP (422.89 kWh) |
| Accessibility | Low Floor |
| Emission Standard | Zero tailpipe emissions |
The Zhongtong LCK6126EVG is an electric single-deck city bus model offered by Chinese bus manufacturer Zhongtong Bus Holding Co., Ltd. (中通客车). The 12-metre bus belongs to Zhongtong’s N series range of electric city buses, and is hence also referred to as the Zhongtong N12.
Zhongtong is supplying 120 units of Zhongtong N12 buses to the Land Transport Authority (LTA) under Contract PT601B, with service entry expected in December 2024.
Other Zhongtong N12 buses in Singapore include:
- Private Bus Operator-owned units (2- and 3-door variants)
- LTA trial bus (SG4010H); later sold to Tong Tar Transport
Background
The N series electric city bus range was launched by Zhongtong on 1 November 2019. Four models of different lengths were offered, namely the N8, N10, N12, and N18, the last of which is an articulated bus.
Zhongtong touts extensive optimizations over its previous generations of buses, focusing on reducing energy consumption and cost of ownership. Lithium iron phosphate traction batteries are supplied by CATL. Buses are constructed with a durable steel unibody structure, earning it a 5-star safety rating by C-SCAP.
LTA Production Batch
In November 2023, local automotive dealer Cycle & Carriage Automotive Pte. Ltd. (in partnership with Zhongtong Bus) was awarded an LTA contract to supply 120 single-deck electric buses for S$58.3 million. This formed part of a larger order of 360 electric buses under Contract PT601, which was also awarded to BYD.
Electric bus chargers were also installed at Sengkang West, East Coast and Gali Batu Bus Depots to support the deployment of these buses.
Following the tender award, Shandong Heavy Industry Group (SHIG)—which owns Zhongtong Bus—and Cycle & Carriage Group signed a strategic cooperation agreement on 25 January 2024, marking the firm order for 120 Zhongtong electric buses, and committing to deepen strategic cooperation in the commercial vehicles, machinery and logistics segments.
Delivery & Handover Ceremony
The first batch of buses were sighted in Singapore sometime in September 2024, and was thereafter spotted inside the Cycle & Carriage’s premises at Pandan Gardens.
These buses also made an appearance at a Handover Ceremony held on 11 October 2024, in tandem with the global launch of the N12D electric double-deck bus.
During a launch ceremony held by LTA at Sengkang West Bus Depot on 23 October 2024, one of the unregistered Zhongtong N12 buses was fitted with the registration plate SG3401U, indicating a likely registration range from SG3401U–SG3520J for the 120 buses.
In an article on The Straits Times in October 2024, it was mentioned that Cycle & Carriage will deliver three Zhongtong N12 electric buses by the end of 2024.
SITCE 2024
One unit was exhibited at the LTA-UITP Singapore International Transport Congress & Exhibition (SITCE) in November 2024.
Registration & Rollout
Registration began on 16 December 2024, with the first two units (SG3401U and SG3402S) leased to SBS Transit.
Following that, all other operators also started leasing buses:
- Tower Transit (SG3442B & SG3443Z) – registered on 6 June 2025
- Go-Ahead Singapore (SG3454S & SG3455P) – registered on 11 July 2025
- SMRT Buses (SG3456L – SG3458G) – registered on 15 July 2025
Revenue service commenced on 10 March 2025, with buses deployed on Bus Services 86 & 159 under SBS Transit.
For Tower Transit, revenue service started on 14 July 2025 with the deployment on Bus Service 66.
In July 2025, SMRT Buses started using the electric buses for its Workers Transport. Revenue service commenced on 4 October 2025 with buses deployed on Service 75.
Go-Ahead Singapore started deploying these buses on Service 15 from 29 September 2025.
Modification Works
Main article: BYD, Zhongtong electric buses to be modified over step height complaints
In October 2025, LTA revealed that Zhongtong LCK6126EVG buses will undergo modification works, following passenger complaints about high steps and raised seating areas.
These include raising the floorboard height, and in the long term, by improving battery density so smaller batteries can be used.
Specifications
| Zhongtong LCK6126EVG (N12) (LTA Production Batch) | |
| Dimensions |
Length × Width × Height: 11990 mm × 2550 mm × 3200 mm |
| Axle |
Front Axle: ZF RL82A Rear Axle: ZF AV133 |
| Tyres |
275/70 R22.5 |
| Electric Motor |
Dana–Prestolite TM4 |
| Battery |
CATL Lithium iron phosphate battery (Capacity 422.89 kWh) Charged via 2x DC plug-in chargers (CCS Type 2 connector) |
| Bodywork |
Zhongtong integral bodywork. Full low-floor configuration |
| EDS | Luminator ULTIMA Electronic Display Sign (EDS) Orange LED Matrix design. Luminator Basic driver controller. |
| PIDS | Luminator SMART Passenger Information Display System (PIDS) Interior-facing LCD screen and exterior-facing LCD screen + LED Text Display |
| Air-con |
Spheros REVO-E Global |
| Driver Assistance | TNT Surveillance T-Guard – 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°) |
| Passenger Capacity | 28 Seated + 52 Standing = 80 Passengers Not including 2 foldable seats, 2 wheelchair bays |
| Other Specifications | • Ster 8MI seats • SMC door systems • Automatic wheelchair ramp • TNTS Camera mirror system • Rear emergency exit hatch • VDO Tachograph • Automatic passenger counting system |
Interior
The bus features a fully low-floor design for step-free access throughout the bus. It includes three doors: a front entrance, a middle exit, and a rear exit door. This layout facilitates ease of passenger boarding and alighting.
Seats are the Ster 8MI model, upholstered in blue for general use (12 seats) and maroon for priority seating (16 seats). The rear double-leaf door allows convenient alighting, while a small floor step provides access to the last row of seats. However, this design prioritizes accessibility over capacity, accommodating only 28 seated passengers, with 8 seats rear-facing to accommodate wheel wells.
Accessibility
LTA specifications call for two wheelchair bays for passengers travelling in wheelchairs (PIWs) or using personal mobility aids. Both wheelchair bays are located opposite the exit doors.
Each bay has a foldable rear-facing seat integrated into the backrest, which does not count towards the seating capacity. Pivoting handlebars can be deployed or stowed for convenience; this particular design locked via an index plunger first appeared on ADL E500 3-door buses.
Contract PT601 buses (i.e. BYD BC12A04 and Zhongtong N12) come fitted with automated boarding ramps which can be deployed at the push of a button located on the exterior of the bus near the middle door. This feature is expected to reduce strain on bus drivers, who have to lift the manually operated ramps and then fold them back on older buses. According to the LTA, these ramps are equipped with sensors which detect obstacles and align with the kerb for smoother deployment.
The boarding ramps were changed as compared to the unit previously exhibited at SITCE 2024.
A stroller restraint is also included with the front wheelchair bay. Since 2017, open strollers have been allowed on public buses.
The bus is also fitted with an automatic passenger counting system above passenger doors.
Other Passenger Features
The Zhongtong LCK6126EVG buses are installed with Electronic Display Sign (EDS) and Passenger Information Display System (PIDS) units from Luminator.
The interior PIDS comprises two display screens: a front-mounted orange LED display showing basic bus service information, and a mid-mounted LCD screen providing additional information such as subsequent bus stops, and rail connections. Another external-facing LCD screen informs commuters about upcoming rail connections along the bus route.
USB charging ports are available at alternate seat rows. USB-C charging is offered; a first for LTA buses.
Finally, the rear of the bus incorporates an emergency exit hatch that can be opened from either the inside or outside. This safety feature first appeared on the Volvo BZL–SC Neustar City, and came as a result of a July 2021 bus accident that resulted in a bus flipped on its side.
An additional rooftop emergency exit is also accessible from the interior rear of the bus.
Driver’s Cab
Buses procured under Contract PT601 (i.e. BYD BC12A04 and Zhongtong N12) come fitted with a Camera Mirror System in place of usual wing mirrors. Display screens located in the driver’s cab show real-time footage from high-definition cameras mounted on the exterior of the bus—where traditional wing mirrors are mounted.
The camera mirror system comprises three screens – two in place of the original wing mirrors, and a third for the bus’ left and front blind spots. Mounting points on the bus exterior allow wing mirrors to be installed if the camera system fails.
Additional Photos (Revenue Service Interior)
SITCE (2024) Gallery:
Interior (SITCE)
Driver Cabin
PIDS & Ramp
See Also:
References:
- 8年省10万！中通客车新N系市场火热的背后——价值篇 (zhongtong.com)
- LTA | More Electric Buses to be Deployed from December 2024 [Accessed 25 Nov 2023]
- 120 new energy Zhongtong buses will serve Singapore’s public transport Market – PR Newswire [Accessed 26 Jan 2024]
- 狮城头条：中通新能源客车交付仪式暨N12D双层电动巴士全球首发 – Weibo [Accessed 12 Oct 2024]
- Handover Ceremony of Zhongtong Green Energy Bus and Global premiere of Double Deck Bus in Singapore | China Vehicle [Accessed 12 Oct 2024]
- Delivery of Zhongtong Electric Buses in Singapore and Global Debut of N12D Double-Decker | Zhongtong Bus [Accessed 15 Oct 2024]
- New Electric Bus Features for Safer and Inclusive Journeys – Land Transport Authority [Accessed 23 Oct 2024]
- Another 10 electric public buses to ply Singapore roads from December – The Straits Times [Accessed 23 Oct 2024]
Back to Bus Models
i saw this bus today morning and i live in tampines,dunno where itcame from or which number
revenue service entry delayed. following buses not registered yet
I have a gut feeling, it may be equally distributed across the three depots (Sengkang West, East Coast, Gali Batu), since the number is 120 initially, 360 ultimately. This means wherever possible, it may be equally distributed geographically across Singapore. 120 divided by 3 is 40.
One bus package around 500. So, 40 is just 8%. Ultimately, when all 360 are delivered, per depot (if remain at just those three) around 120, it will be 24%.
Potentially 2/3 of the single decker bus fleet at the 3 participating depots, if the depot composition remain the same.
This will be a large endeavor, now to think about it. Total 4 major single decker diesel bus models: Scania K230UB, MAN A22, Mercedes Benz Citaro, Mercedes Benz OC500LE.
Although already have some electric buses before this 360 order, still a long way to go. Will easily take about 10 years to order finish this first batch of electric single decker buses, to replace all the existing diesel single decker buses.
Spot on that’s why the delayed and we know Chinese doesn’t like delay their customers… It will be distributed among three depots that is Sengkang West,Gali Batu and East Coast.
OC replacement will be Citaro,A22 and EV buses.
The buses might registered as SG3341J to SG3460Z.
True, as BYD B12s will be registered from SG3101K to SG3340L
Update: with as the option was exercised for 60 additional BYD B12s, here are the registration numbers:
The BYD B12s will be registered from SG3101K to SG3400Y.
The Zhongtong N12s will be registered from SG3401U to SG3520J.
To curious bus enthusiasts sighting this bus out in the open: This is NOT SG4010H.
Differences:
No mirrors
Mirror camera
One more difference, the newer zhongtong and B12 has a escape hatch on the back like the BZL