[Tushar]

Ashok Leyland had on display the Versa electric bus, the 12M FESLF CNG bus and the MiTR school bus which was made along with Nissan.

Versa all-electric bus
Length: 11,085 mm
Width: 2,500 mm
Height: 2,836 mm
Wheelbase: 5,820 mm
Overhang F/R: 2,695 mm/2,570 mm
Turning Radius: 9,106 mm
GVW: 12,500 kgs
Seating capacity: 36+driver

Electrical: 24V 135 Ah
Energy storage: 52 unit of lithium ion batteries integrated into the floor
Power: 197 BHP
Torque: 600 Nm @ 500-2410 rpm
Axles & suspension:
- Front rigid axle with 2 bellow air suspension
- Rear single reduction hypoid with 4 bellow air suspension
Steering: Power assisted; steering column adjustable for rake and reach
Brakes: Dual line full air disc brakes with ABS
Wheels & tyres: Tubeless 245/75 x R19.5
Structure: All welded heavy duty box section integral construction

One of - if not THE most - attention grabbing vehicles on display. The Versa all electric bus


The Versa has a stated charge time of 6 hrs for a 100% "fill up". Opt for the fast charging system and the time drops down to just 2 hours. Average range of 150-180 kms, but that will of course, depend on how the bus is driven. It also features regenerative braking.


Looks like a design enhancement or an air scoop right? Well, it's actually a rain water drain. Water that falls on the roof is seeped through this outlet.


Low slung headlamps.


No engine...no grille. See that badge up front? This bus is made by Optare - an England based Ashok Leyland subsidiary. Initial units sold in India will be direct imports, but the company will be pushing for localized production at the earliest.


That windshield is enormous!




Fuel inlet is only for the heater of the HVAC system.


One of the senior managers at the stall commented that the biggest challenge they face, is explaining the cost effectiveness of such buses. The Versa's price wasn't disclosed, but it will be quite expensive. However, long term benefits are hard to use as an incentive, as cost recovery is priority #1. This is why Ashok Leyland will be approaching more government departments. As expected, Gujarat has shown a keen interest.


Quirky and curvaceous front end.


The tyre..see that little blue cap?


It's an additional old-fashioned odometer only on the rear-right wheel. This has been kept in place to keep an exact track of how much the bus has run (in case any of the other hardware is changed).




Side view camera for the driver.




Another camera at the back.


A few warning signs. The Versa's batteries are all integrated into the floor, but the rear overhang-centric battery placement ensures that they have a minimal impact on interior space.


Monocoque construction with aluminium alloy exterior side panels. Ashok Leyland claims these add durability to the Versa's structure and make for easy accident repairs.






Low entry foldable ramp. The entry point is very low to begin with, but this ramp goes down further for wheelchair access. Good for the elderly, disabled or even those with kid strollers!




The cockpit...


...instrumentation is quite interesting.




See the driver skill readout? Depending on how hard the bus is driven/brought to a stop, the driver skill is automatically calculated. The higher the number, the smoother the driver.




Just front & back. No stress of changing gears.


HVAC controls.

[Tushar]

"Big bus" is watching


Emergency buttons to open the door are placed very close to the entry point.


Can carry 58.


Fairly comfortable seats. Those in the aisle get armrests.


Why does the floor move up? Well, the batteries have been placed at the rear end of the bus.


Reserved seats for the disabled or elderly with better legroom. Given that I'm 6'4", I'd vote for a tall person sign too!


Seats fold up for a passenger in a wheelchair.


Glass roof + emergency exit point.


No need for an old-school hammer. Simply twist the seal and whack the knob to crack the glass.


Not a simple stop request button. See those dots? That's braille!


View from the last row.

[Tushar]

The 12M FESLF CNG Bus

Dimensions:
Length: 12,000 mm
Width: 2,600 mm
Height: 3,300 mm
Wheelbase: 6,000 mm

Fuel and emission: CNG, BS IV-OBD II
Engine: 6-cylinder MPFI AND TCIC
Max power: 217 BHP @ 2400 rpm
Max torque: 720 Nm @ 1200-1800 rpm
Transmission: Synchromesh 6-speed manual
GVW: 16,200 kgs
Tyres: Tubeless radial tyres. 295/80 R22.5-16PR
Fuel tank capacity: 720 litres
Seating capacity: 45+driver
Standee capacity: 31
Floor height: 900 mm

Special features
- Fire detection and suppression system (FDSS)

Suspension:
- Front Multi-Lead parabolic suspension
- Rear air suspension with shock absorbers

This model aims to capitalize on the popularity of CNG in public transport.










Tubeless radial 295/80 R22.5 tyres




The air-conditioning unit.




Pretty standard issue dashboard.


Fan for the driver. Surprised that bus drivers in cities like Mumbai don't get this yet!


If this is to be used as a city bus, a roof-mounted pole would be a better idea IMO. The poles really eat into space.


Fans for passengers too. Public transport in hotter cities needs to make stuff like this standard.

[Tushar]

The MiTR school bus

Dimensions:
Length: 7,060 mm
Width: 2,080 mm
Height: 2,630 mm
Wheelbase: 3,700 mm

Engine: 3.0-litre ZD30 DDTi Common Rail Diesel Engine
Max power: 117 BHP @ 2,750 rpm (BS 3); 103 BHP @ 2,600 rpm (BS4)
Max torque: 320 Nm @ 1350-2600 rpm (BS3); 284 Nm @ 1,350-2,600 rpm (BS4)
Clutch: 280 mm, single dry plate, diaphragm push type
Transmission: Synchromesh 5-forward & 1 reverse
Fuel tank capacity: 60 litres

Steering system: Hydraulic-assisted power steering
Frame: "C" section construction- Straight ladder type
Service Brake: Dual circuit, hydraulic with vacuum assist
Suspension: Parabolic, overslung suspension with double acting shock absorbers
GVW: 6,050 kgs
Seating capacity: 27+driver or 40+driver

Reminds me of an old Mitsubishi Rosa.


...aaand the memories of water bottle fights start coming back








Fire extinguisher with a large tool-box.






A few motorcycles & scooters have a similarly-styled cluster.

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Commercial Vehicle Section. Thanks for sharing!

[Ashley2]

Ashokleyland is attempting again with a product for which there is no market. Everybody from Govt. officials to STU's speak so much in press, but nothing in action for the Electric and Hybrid buses. Ashokleyland was ready even 2 years ago and BMTC wanted to purchase the same but finally they have kept on hold. Without any support from Govt. no way these alternate fuel powered buses can hit the road.
They have already killed a company called Reva and finally Mr.Maini have to sell his company to Mahindra to make away from his loses.
Thank God, neither of the Heavy bus manufactures have invested without getting official nod from Govt.
Otherwise, Versa Electric should comfortable be an alternate to expensive Volvo which is currently the sole manufacturer under the premium segment. Also AL should plan to reduce the cost of bus to make it affordable to STU's as well.

[urzdeepu]

Originally Posted by Tushar

"Big bus" is watching
Attachment 1329479

Emergency buttons to open the door are placed very close to the entry point.
Attachment 1329480

Can carry 58.
Attachment 1329481

Fairly comfortable seats. Those in the aisle get armrests.
Attachment 1329482

Why does the floor move up? Well, the batteries have been placed at the rear end of the bus.
Attachment 1329483

Reserved seats for the disabled or elderly with better legroom. Given that I'm 6'4", I'd vote for a tall person sign too!
Attachment 1329484

Seats fold up for a passenger in a wheelchair.
Attachment 1329485

Glass roof + emergency exit point.
Attachment 1329488

No need for an old-school hammer. Simply twist the seal and whack the knob to crack the glass.
Attachment 1329491

Not a simple stop request button. See those dots? That's braille!
Attachment 1329492

View from the last row.
Attachment 1329493

Thank you Thushar for the detailed photographs and report. The Optare Versa is a sure hit if we get a positive nod from the govt. 180km range makes it a sweet choice for a City bus application.
FE SLF CNG looks like a ditto of the Janbus but should be more cost effective too. Using a 12M Platform ensures more passenger capacity unlike the regular FE SLF models.
MITR could have been better. The front looks ugly. But overall the bus is a good package for EIB purpose too.

[Tushar]

Originally Posted by Ashley2

Ashok leyland is attempting again with a product for which there is no market. Everybody from Govt. officials to STU's speak so much in press, but nothing in action for the Electric and Hybrid buses. Ashokleyland was ready even 2 years ago and BMTC wanted to purchase the same but finally they have kept on hold. Without any support from Govt. no way these alternate fuel powered buses can hit the road.

Absolutely. Without govt support, EVs will get nowhere. Tax exemptions, special consideration for insurance premiums etc must be provided. It's the same situation for safety regulations. Unless the establishment offers some incentive, it won't work.

The market for buses like the Versa is narrow, which is why AL is initially sticking to imports. It's made by their English subsidiary Optare so that's not a problem. The customer base will be govt departments 99% of the time, but hopefully this will help private buyers recognize the potential.

[dreamliner17]

Thanks for the nice report Tushar !

The Versa all-electric bus literally gets cameras all-round to aid the driver with the massive dimensions! A nifty driver skill readout feature is present but still doesn't guarantee the overall product being a value addition to any bus operating fleet !

Considering what the CNG AC Cerita KING LONG did to the BEST in Mumbai, this segment of buses with alternative fuels and promising a plush ride, doing a trustworthy job still remains a question. The electric ones don't come cheap( neither did the Cerita KING LONG) and betting on them may prove to be a gamble unless we get a ground-breaking product that offers massive reliability. I wonder, to what extent the re-generative braking can help the vehicle in adding more kilometers to its existing limited range.

The 12M FE SLF CNG Bus seems to be a good product overall and the little fans should help keep the passengers cool , including the driver