MINSK, 18 February (BelTA) – The Belarusian automobile engineering company MAZ has presented a new electric bus MAZ 303E10 in Kiev. The new product borrows heavily from the third-generation bus MAZ 303, the press service of the Belarusian company told BelTA.
The new bus is powered by a 300kW CeTrax electric motor from the German company ZF. The motor boasts low electricity consumption. The bus can travel for 280-320km thanks to batteries with the capacity of 412Ah (285kWh). It takes from 4 to 6 hours to charge the batteries.
The bus's external dimensions are adapted to an urban environment. It is 12.43m long, 2.55m wide, and 3.3m high. It offers 30 seats and can carry 72 passengers. The electric bus has a low floor (320mm above the pavement). One of the doors is fitted with a retractable ramp for low-mobility passengers. All the seat rows are fitted with USB ports to allow passengers to charge their smartphones and tablets on the go.
MAZ 303E10 has larger than standard panoramic windows. A comfortable microclimate is maintained in the salon thanks to an air conditioner and heaters. The bus's framework is made of rustproof pipes while the exterior body is made of aluminum and plastic. The batteries are designed for 3,000 charging cycles. The bus has a total of 18 batteries, including 12 on the roof and six in a special compartment near the motor.
The driver's cab is equipped with a digital dashboard. The display shows every detail including data from rain sensors, light sensors, and ECAS and EBS safety systems. Automatic diagnostics of all the onboard systems is available.
The MAZ press service said the electric bus will be used to transport passengers along a standard Kiev route. Its performance will be tested to determine the real cruising range with turned-on heaters during winter and the precise charging time. After the trials the city administration will decide on the advisability of replacing diesel buses with electric ones in Kiev's downtown.
MAZ is one of Belarus' largest mechanical engineering companies. It specializes in making heavy-duty trucks, special-purpose vehicles, buses, trolleybuses, and trailing units. MAZ is a well-known international brand. MAZ vehicles are compliant with the environmental standards Euro-5 and Euro-6. The company makes a total of over 500 models and modifications of tractor units, dropside trucks, and chassis for mounting various kinds of equipment.
