Chinese bus manufacturers are continuing to push into the European market and are constantly presenting new models – and these are now mainly electric buses. As an addition to its product range, Yutong presented a 15 metre long, three-axle bus model branded U15, the first examples of which are now in operation in Europe.
The U15 is 14.95 metres long, 2.55 metres wide and 3.39 metres high. It offers space for up to 100 passengers, 59 of whom are seated.
The battery capacity is offered in three options: 563.8 or 579.6 or 662.8 kWh. In the most powerful version, the manufacturer promises a maximum range of up to 710 kilometres.
The first public transport operators to use the U15 in Europe include:
- Leiden (Qbuzz), Netherlands
- Drammen, Oslo, Trondheim, Norway
- Tampere, Finland
- Villanueva del Pardillo (Auto Periferiao), Spain
Further deliveries will follow. In the Netherlands, Yutong replaced an order for 50 three-axle vehicles that had originally been awarded to Van Hool, but was then re-awarded at short notice following the manufacturer’s insolvency. The contract was now extended by another 62 e-buses, thus resulting in a total number of Yutong U15 for Qbuzz of 112.
A few days ago, Yutong also presented the new version of its electric double-decker model U12 DD. The double-decker bus type has already become quite popular in the domestic market, as they play a larger role in urban transport in China than in Europe, for example. This model will also be available on the European market. The U11 DD model, which was tailored to the British market, had already been presented in 2023 – according to Yutong, 74 units had already been delivered by January 2025.
