BELGIUM With six months to go before Busworld Europe 2025 opens its doors in Brussels, bus manufacturers and component suppliers alike are preparing to unveil their latest innovations, ranging from electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles to next-gen drivetrains and telematics. Once again, organisers say, the show is shaping up to be a comprehensive preview of the industry’s future.
Some of the early highlights include MAN Truck & Bus doubling down on its e-mobility roadmap with two major premieres: MAN’s eCoach will mark the company’s first fully electric touring coach, designed as a zero-emission alternative to its Lion’s Coach, with a range of up to 500km and using MAN’s eTruck battery packs and long-distance vehicle architecture. Also making its debut is the second generation of the MAN Lion’s City 12 E electric city bus, now 500kg lighter and offering a range of up to 500km.
Solaris will unveil its new Urbino 10.5 Electric, first announced on 12 March, and VDL Bus & Coach is expected to launch a new generation of its Citea electric platform, focusing on higher battery efficiency, reduced vehicle weight and fully modular architecture for both city and regional use.
Irizar e-mobility will showcase a redesigned ie tram, promising better accessibility, an upgraded interior, and a new rapid-charging system that cuts charging times by up to 30%, whilst BYD has announced the European debut of a new electric city bus featuring solid-state battery technology, aimed at boosting energy density and thermal stability.
Vietnam’s VinFast will make its European debut at Busworld Europe, becoming the first Vietnamese brand to ever exhibit at the event. VinFast will showcase a 12-metre electric city bus, already in service in Vietnam, with a range of 300 to 350km, developed in collaboration with Pininfarina and powered by Siemens technology. The brand aims to enter five EU markets by 2026.
Chinese manufacturer Alfabus will present 12m and 18m electric bus models built specifically for the European market with full EU type approval, and Spain’s Unvi will be launching its SIL Electric, a low-entry coach for regular regional services. With seating for up to 59 passengers and a range of 400km, it targets operators in need of middle to long-distance flexibility.
On the supplier side, ZF will present the latest evolution of its integrated electric axle, combining motor, inverter and transmission into a single, compact unit to simplify installation and servicing, whilst rival Voith will expand its eDrive portfolio with a solution tailored to electric long-distance coaches. The company will also introduce new hydrogen components in line with its multi-energy strategy.
