At Coachair, we are always looking ahead – working to improve our products, services and support to ensure we are prepared to meet our customers’ future needs.
One of the biggest trends on our radar is the move to zero-emissions vehicles. With the environmental impacts of diesel buses clear, it’s a move that many Australians support.
This article explores the current plans for upgrading Australia’s bus network to zero-emissions vehicles and how Coachair are prepared to support you with quality HVAC.
Electrifying the Australian bus network
Research suggests that bus networks around Australia contribute 6% of our carbon emissions every year – despite making up only 0.5% of vehicles on our roads.
It’s an issue that the federal government hopes to address with a national target seeking net zero bus emissions by 2050. At the state level, various transition commitments have been made, including:
- NSW has committed to completing the zero-emissions transition by 2050
- VIC and QLD will replace all diesel buses at the end of their life with new zero-emission vehicles from 2025
- TAS have committed to completing the zero-emissions transition by 2030
- The ACT has committed to completing the zero-emissions transition by 2040
- WA have committed $250 million to deliver 130 new electric buses and battery charging infrastructure
- SA is trialling the use of two new hydrogen fuel buses
- The NT is investigating the feasibility of zero-emissions vehicles on its network
This draws a clear line in the sand for public bus services, which also has implications for private companies. The responsibility will fall to bus operators to ensure their fleets are in line with changing customer expectations.
Completing this transition is presenting many challenges for bus builders and operators – from the costs of building electric buses locally to the costs of purchasing a zero-emissions vehicle. With appropriate funding, government support and the expansion of the zero-emissions bus industry; many of these challenges can be overcome.
One challenge that Coachair have already addressed is passenger comfort on the new vehicles.
Improving the customer experience
The net zero transition is more than just a government initiative – it’s a movement that Australian customers fully support. According to the 2021 Climate of the Nation report, three in four Australians are in favour of electrifying the bus networks.
Not only do customers support the move, they prefer the experience. In NSW, 80% of bus passengers were satisfied with the electric vehicle experience. They highlighted benefits such as a smoother journey, a quieter experience and lower pollution.
With superior heating and cooling capacity, our new EX range is prepared to keep passengers and drivers comfortable all-year round.
The EX series: ready for the future
The EX range includes three HVAC units suitable for electric, hybrid and hydrogen buses.
- The EX20 is our smallest electric unit designed for 7m-8.5m buses with 4000m3/h airflow, 20kW heating and 21kW cooling capacity
- The EX26 is a medium power unit designed for 8.5m-12m buses with 6000m3/h airflow, 24kW heating and 26kW cooling capacity
- The EX32 is our most powerful electric unit for 10m-14m buses with 8000m3/h airflow, 30-40kW heating and 32kW cooling capacity
Designed in Australia, they utilise market-leading technology to combine high airflow with low power consumption. Each of the units is remarkably low-weight, allowing you to increase passenger numbers or carry extra batteries with ease.
Our design is also the only electric HVAC currently available with a twin DC compressor system that provides 50% refrigeration redundancy.
The best way to understand which unit is suitable for your needs is to speak with your HVAC supplier. To compare Coachair units, simply fill in the form and our team will get back to you soon.
More than 40 years of innovation with Coachair
For more than 40 years, Coachair has been recognised as a pioneer in the Australian HVAC market. We are committed to delivering superior performance products with exceptional customer service and lifetime support.
As the only company to design and engineer HVAC systems specifically for Australian climates, our technology is made to perform consistently in unique local conditions.
Our goal is to provide our customers with a reliable product at a lower cost, weight and power consumption.
Browse our current product range on the website, including a downloadable brochure for the EX series. If you need further support, call 1300 287 247 or email sales@coachair.com.
Data Source: Kolar K & Staheli R (2023), Electric bus evaluation [PDF 2.9MB], National Transport Commission, accessed 27 June 2024.
