Bus manufacturer Van Hool has shipped its first CX45E, a 100% battery electric coach, to the U.S. After an intense period of development—which included tests on acceleration, agility, and noise, according to the company—the CX45E is now being commercially launched by Van Hool’s North American exclusive distributor ABC Bus Companies. An additional ten units will be shipped to the US in the first half of 2021. The all-electric CX45E will then be delivered to two North American customers.
“With this announcement it all became a reality: a few years ago we put the first technical concepts of the CX45E on paper, and today the end-result leaves for the U.S.,“ explained CEO Filip Van Hool. ”We were of course able to draw on our vast experience we have built up over decades in the design and production of electric buses. In 1985 we built the first trolley electric buses. In 2005 we were the first manufacturer to design a hydrogen-powered electric bus for the North American market, and the platform of our successful Exqui.City trambus can be equipped with different electric drivetrains. In total, more than 1,000 electrically powered vehicles have left Van Hool’s factory. And we will continue our efforts to market environmentally friendly and cost-efficient electric vehicles in the future, both in Europe and in our second home market North America.”
Van Hool CX45E electric coach
The CX45E is a fully electric powered coach for the North American market. Proterra, a leading American producer of battery technology for heavy-duty vehicles, was selected by Van Hool to supply the E2 battery technology. The 100 percent electrically driven vehicle has a range of up to 310 miles, depending on the climate conditions and the route’s topography. The CX45E will mainly be used for commuting by groups of employees and/or regular passenger transport.
“The cooperation between Van Hool and its distributor in the North American market, ABC Bus Companies began 33 years ago,” says Van Hool. “As there was demand from several customers for fully electrically powered vehicles, we at Van Hool and ABC Bus Companies looked for a solution. Van Hool is excited and proud to work with Proterra, a pioneering company in the development and production of battery technology.”
The CX45E was designed, developed and prototyped at the parent company in Koningshooikt, Belgium. The production-ready versions of the ten CX45E coaches planned for the first half of 2021 will also come from the Belgian factory. The vehicles will be driven from Koningshooikt to Zeebrugge for shipment to the US.
Visit vanhool.be for more information.
[01.05.21]