Volkswagen Truck & Bus enters a new era of passenger transport solutions

•        e-Volksbus is the brand's big news at Lat.Bus from August 6 to 8 in São Paulo
•        Expansion of products and services consolidates strategy for the market

Volkswagen Truck &  Bus publicly begins its journey in electromobility for passenger transport. The e-Volksbus chassis is presented for the first time to the market with a series of tailormade solutions for operation in the Brazilian market, with expertise accumulated in the largest e-mobility development center in Latin America.

"More than developing sustainable transport solutions for all, we are committed to their effective implementation in the market so that more and more of these benefits reach the largest number of people. That is why we continue to innovate in the product portfolio, in services and also in business models. The goal is to strengthen our partnership with the customer, anticipating solutions to their needs”, says Roberto Cortes, President and CEO of Volkswagen Truck & Bus.

The brand is expanding its operations beyond the e-mobility. The company has grown its market share month by month in Brazil with investments in the diesel bus market, which now has two new models in the portfolio: the Volksbus 18.320 SH, the first VW chassis of this size with a rear engine for road and charter application; and also the Volksbus 22.260, the VW superbus that has the potential to operate on high passenger volume routes.

Both chassis debut this year and join the others that have already enchanted the Brazilian market, especially the Volksbus 11.180 and Volksbus 17.230. "Without a doubt, today we have the best and most complete Volkswagen bus line in our history, from the micro bus to the super bus, and our electric model will be included soon”, says Ricardo Alouche, Vice President of Sales, Marketing and After Sales of the automaker. Proof of this is that the automaker has just surpassed the milestone of 180,000 chassis produced for passenger transport throughout its history.

This strategy, however, is not restricted to the Brazilian market. Volkswagen Truck & Bus will soon release improvements to its export portfolio, while celebrating the milestone of 40,000 Volksbus chassis in circulation in the more than 30 countries in which the brand sells its vehicles.

Volkswagen Truck & Bus presents the first model of the e-Volksbus family

One year after the beginning of its tests, Volkswagen Truck & Bus presents its first model of the e-Volksbus family developed at its factory in Resende (RJ). In addition to emitting zero carbon and reducing noise, the e-Volksbus 22L electric bus ensures high standards of energy efficiency and operational economy, redefining urban public transport for sustainable mobility, combining technology, comfort and safety.

With a capacity to transport up to 82 people, it can receive urban bus bodies up to 13.2 meters long, the model has a total gross weight of 22 tons and is equipped with a 280 kW motor and a maximum torque of 2,300 Nm. Coupled to this motor is a gearbox capable of raising the output torque up to 4,050 Nm, ensuring maximum performance in urban operations and hills.

The e-Volksbus 22L is powered by a set of 12 packs of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries, already used in e-Delivery vehicles and validated for demanding applications with ample safety. This configuration provides a range of up to 250 km, with 385 kW/h, on a single charge of up to three hours. There will also be the option of eight battery packs, with a shorter autonomy.

The vehicle's recharging plug, compatible with chargers up to 160 kW of power, can be installed at the rear or front of the bus, according to the customer's needs in the garage.

The batteries are located on the roof and rear of the vehicle. They also have independent thermal management systems, which optimizes performance and energy consumption, ensuring good thermal equalization of the battery packs. This makes the bodybuilding process easier and ensures that the system lasts longer. 

The e-Volksbus steering system has redundancy in its operation, allowing greater reliability and safety during operation, delivering continuous hydraulic assistance to the driver, in any condition and with full control of the vehicle.

With the regenerative braking system, with four power levels, the VW electric bus is able to recover energy during decelerations, increasing its energy efficiency during daily operation. The Eco Drive Mode system, on the other hand, optimizes energy consumption, automatically adjusting the vehicle's performance to maximize range.

In addition, the VW electric bus comes with high technology in safety systems, high protection for operation even in flooded regions, ramp start assistant, ABS and EBD brakes. It also offers the "door brake" function, which brakes the vehicle when the doors are opened for passengers boarding and exiting.

The vehicle's accessibility stands out for its "low entry" concept, with a low floor in the central and front part, which added to the kneeling, lifting and squatting system, facilitate and expedite passenger boarding and exiting. Another configuration that contributes even more to passenger comfort is the integral air suspension on the front and rear axles, ensuring greater comfort for those traveling in the vehicle. Among the advantages of the e-Volksbus, there is also the smart air conditioning system, completely integrated with the electronic control system of the vehicle chassis, allowing maximum thermal comfort for passengers and energy optimization.

The dashboard follows the same language already used in the e-Delivery, providing information in an intuitive and practical way for the driver to monitor both consumption and the system's energy recovery. The e-Volksbus also has a set of reinforced tires, dedicated to the urban operation of electric buses and capable of supporting greater load capacity.

The e-Volksbus chassis platform is based on the modular chassis of the current diesel version, ensuring robustness and durability to the set. Electrification, on the other hand, maintains the same basis as the modular e-Delivery platform, which has been extensively tested and validated over the last five years in Brazil and Latin America.

Thus, Volkswagen Truck & Bus ensures the durability of the components in the most diverse operating conditions. In addition, the dealer network and the parts and accessories center are already equipped with all the technical knowledge to support the operation and after-sales of the vehicle, since it shares the components of the e-Delivery platform.

Volkswagen Truck & Bus consolidates itself as an e-mobility center in Latin America

As part of its aim to develop sustainable transport solutions for all, Volkswagen Truck & Bus is consolidating a true center of intelligence in e-mobility in Brazil, pioneering various technological solutions. It is located in its factory in Resende (RJ), where the brand's global research and development center is also located.

“The main results of this expertise are the launch of the first electric truck designed and produced in Latin America in 2021 and now presentation of the e-Volksbus, as well as a number of research projects and solutions to make this sustainable mobility viable, including the most recent one announced for the development of Niobium-based batteries. All this work began in 2018, when an engineering team dedicated to electric vehicle projects was created”, explains Rodrigo Chaves, Vice President of Engineering at VWTB.

Another important result of this initiative is the flexible modular architecture, a patented solution from VWTB that made it possible to derive the third product in a short time: the e-Volksbus, Volkswagen's first 100% electric bus. The configuration created by the company speeds up the adaptation to different truck and bus platforms, with the development of vehicles in record time and a high degree of component customization. As for the e-Volksbus, as well as being an extension of the architecture, it inaugurates the concept of a base platform chassis, validated for Latin American applications. It therefore has the potential to be rapidly developed into new variants.

Local software development is also one of the major turning points that has accelerated the electrification of new models. Over 70% of the vehicle's control functions are done in-house by VWTB's own team, which also allows for continuous improvement with new functions that add value for the customer.

One of VWTB's strategies for consolidating its position as a benchmark in electric vehicles is the fact that both the e-Delivery and the e-Volksbus share a large part of their production on the same line as the other diesel vehicles. Only the assembly of the batteries was allocated to a specialized and dedicated area, the e-Shop. This concept was created from the great synergy between the manufacturing and engineering areas, optimizing investments.

With this, the chassis receives all the expertise, efficiency and quality shared with the other vehicles on the production line. It also has a team specialized in assembly involving high voltage systems, operating with 650V, following the strictest safety protocols. The e-Volksbus has additional synergy. The batteries are mounted on the roof of the vehicle during the bodywork stage, which is also monitored by VWTB, and a final check and release is done to ensure a quality end product for customers.

Electrical safety tested and guaranteed

With the creation of this e-mobility center in Resende, the plant has also expanded its processes and expanded the current validation tests for diesel models with new procedures to add even more safety, robustness and reliability to the final electric product. Today there are more than 50 new specific tests for electric vehicles, ranging from measuring the insulation of systems, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) tests and even submersion and passage tests in flooded areas. All this following international safety standards and criteria.

Electric vehicles undergo this extensive series of tests, in which the rule is to ensure that the electric vehicle operates under the same conditions as diesel-powered vehicles. As a result, extreme caution is applied equally to both to ensure that customers always have a reliable and robust electric option, just like the brand's well-established diesel vehicles.

From the Caribbean to the Philippines: VWTB exports 40 thousand Volksbus vehicles

In a historic milestone, Volkswagen Truck & Bus celebrates 40 thousand Volksbus exported and demonstrates its strength, not just in the Brazilian market. The internationalization journey of the Volksbus range began the year it was launched and since then the company has continued to expand its horizons, reaching markets in all regions of the world.

Today, with a presence in more than 30 countries, VWTB has production lines for its bus chassis in Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and the Philippines, delivering tailormade solutions for each market, whether with products or services. “Exporting 40 thousand vehicles is the result of the professionalism and excellent teamwork of our employees. This milestone reflects the trust placed in our vehicles. Betting on the versatility of our products, we will continue to strive to offer the best for all markets”, says Leonardo Soloaga, International Sales Director at Volkswagen Truck & Bus.

The brand's presence in various regions shows that VW buses are prepared for any terrain. The Volksbus line was tailored to meet the demands of passenger transport and is prepared to operate in different scenarios and serve customers from coast to high altitude locations. The models, recognized mainly for their robustness, reliability, versatility and low maintenance, gain even more strength when combined with the services offered at the dealerships. 

There are over 200 service centers available worldwide. With trained staff, the importers offer fleet owners a solution for the purchase and maintenance of their vehicles, increasing their proximity to the market and ensuring a rapid response to their needs, both in terms of advice and services and spare parts.

VWTB also stands out in strategic markets such as Angola, where it is mainly used for urban passenger transport. Between 2017 and 2024, two thousand shipments were destined to the country's urban mobility program. Peru and Costa Rica also occupy leading positions in VW bus sales.