While the development of EV = electric vehicle is becoming active among automobile manufacturers, commercial vehicle manufacturers Isuzu Motor and Hino Motor have announced that they will start producing EV route buses from 2024.
Isuzu Motors Ltd. and Hino Motors Ltd., which are commercial vehicle manufacturers, have established a joint venture to jointly develop buses.
According to the announcement, the joint venture will begin production of EV route buses from 2024.
In EV route buses, the engine under the car body is eliminated, so the floor inside the car can be made flatter than the current non-step buses, and the steps when getting on and off can be made smaller.
In addition, the three companies, including Toyota Motor Corporation, are also developing a new bus for FCV = fuel cell vehicles that generate electricity from hydrogen.
Isuzu and Hino each plan to launch EV light-duty trucks by the end of the year, and although they are rivals in the truck field, they will work together in the electrification of buses.
With regard to EVs for commercial vehicles, competition is likely to intensify as some Chinese manufacturers enter the Japanese market against the backdrop of cost competitiveness.