Economic Times / Reported by Weng Yung-chuan
The 2025 Taiwan Hydrogen and Electric Bus Net Zero Mobility Forum opened on July 22 at the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center (South Hall), where Master Bus showcased Taiwan’s first certified electric intercity coach. The vehicle marks a major milestone with 10 key components localized, including the bus body assembly, steel frame, battery pack, battery management system (BMS), and vehicle control unit (VCU) — all independently designed, developed, and manufactured by Master Bus. It is also equipped with advanced driver assistance systems such as Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), Lane Keeping Aid (LKA), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS), offering passengers a safe, quiet, and comfortable highway travel experience.
The first Master Bus electric intercity coach was officially unveiled in Kaohsiung on July 22. Photo / Provided by Master Bus
Master Bus’s electric bus lineup includes 12-meter two-door low-floor city transit buses, 9-meter one-door low-floor city transit buses, 12-meter one-door intercity coaches, and 7-meter low-floor city transit buses, making it the only manufacturer in Taiwan offering a full range of electric bus models. To date, over 400 electric buses have been delivered for operation across various cities and counties. Master Bus has independently developed a 450 kW six-phase direct-drive motor, purpose-built for long-distance intercity coaches, representing the highest international-level motor locally manufactured in Taiwan. Delivering 603 horsepower (HP), it provides strong power and high energy conversion efficiency, ensuring robust performance even on long-distance uphill routes. The bus reaches a top speed of 105 km/h, maintaining stable and efficient operation under all driving conditions.
The 12-meter electric intercity bus, developed entirely in-house by Master Bus, is equipped with a 218 kW fast-charging battery pack. Using 3C rapid charging, it can charge from 20% to 80% state-of-charge (SOC) in just 15 minutes, offering a range of approximately 227 km per charge and a daily accumulated mileage of up to 1,000 km. The introduction of electric buses for long-distance passenger transport will achieve the goal of net-zero emissions, marking a significant milestone in public transportation.
To further integrate the supply chain and enhance production efficiency, Master Bus is investing in an Electric Bus Industrial Park in the Erlin Campus of the Central Taiwan Science Park, covering 20 hectares. The facility is scheduled for completion in March 2027. By introducing standardized production and automated manufacturing systems, Master Bus aims to achieve intelligent manufacturing, create 600 new jobs, and stimulate local industry development. The plant’s annual capacity will increase to 2,000 complete vehicles and 10,000 KD kits, meeting the growing domestic and international demand for high-quality electric buses.
Master Bus is also expanding globally. On December 7, 2024, 30 Master Bus electric buses were shipped from Taipei Port and are scheduled to arrive in Paraguay in March 2025 to begin demonstration operations. This marks the official entry of Taiwan’s electric bus industry into the international market. Through real-world operations and data analysis in Paraguay, Master Bus will be able to tailor solutions such as power chassis, complete vehicles, or full plant technology exports to meet different market needs worldwide. This achievement strengthens Taiwan’s leading position in the global electric bus industry and provides greener, more efficient public transportation solutions for the world.
Link to the original article:
成運汽車全台第一輛電動城際巴士 提供國道客運新體驗 | 熱門亮點 | 商情 | 經濟日報