Urban electric buses from Chinese company Ankai arrive in Brazil – 04/11/2024 – Eduardo Sodré

After BYD and TEVX Higer, a new Chinese brand of electric urban buses announced this Thursday (11) its arrival in Brazil. The vehicles are being imported by the SHC group, owned by businessman Sergio Habib.

All vehicles have monocoque bodies —according to the company, this type of construction allows weight to be reduced by up to two tons when compared to electric cars with conventional construction (chassis and body).

The importing group has been operating in the automotive segment for over 30 years. In 2018, the company filed for judicial recovery due to accumulated losses due to the drop in sales between 2014 and 2016, but continued with business.

Habib was one of the pioneers in car imports in the early 1990s, when he brought the Citroën brand. Last decade, he promoted the debut of JAC Motors in the country, which today is focused on 100% electric passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

When entering the urban bus business, the entrepreneur will deal with city halls across Brazil and will have to review some concepts, starting with the need for public resources to make the business viable.

Habib states that he has always been against subsidies, but that it is not viable to invest in the passenger transport segment without these resources. “Any bus that we will see on the way at this time [11h30 da manhã] there will be six or seven people inside, and [o prestador do serviço] There is a requirement to have a bus every 10 minutes. The bill doesn’t close, someone has to pay.”

This bill is indeed high. According to the importer’s calculations, a 100% electric model with capacity for 80 passengers costs between R$2.5 million and R$3 million. The equivalent diesel option is sold for approximately R$900,000.

Environmental gains, however, are relevant. According to research by Mobilab/USP (Laboratory of Integrated Strategies for the Mobility Industry at the University of São Paulo), buses that do not have a combustion engine are those that emit the least greenhouse gases. The account considers the complete life cycle of the vehicle: acquisition, operation, financing and disposal.

According to the study, 100% electric models emit 60% less CO2 and, when considering all the expenses involved, including the acquisition of vehicles, the operation would cost around 1% more than the diesel mode.

Another advantage is the silence when running. On a trip through the streets of the city of São Paulo, the Ankai bus showed greater acoustic comfort, in addition to vibrating little. All seats have a USB port for charging smartphones.

There is also air conditioning, a low floor for easier access and a reversing camera. The buyer can choose one of three battery packs available for each version, and the range can reach 350 km on a full charge.

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