Thousands of bus and coach industry professionals attended the Euro Bus Expo 2022, as the highly-anticipated event returned to the NEC Birmingham this week. Over three days (1-3 November), visitors could explore innovations, discover the latest trends, network, and learn from industry thought leaders, at the free to attend trade exhibition.
Hundreds of exhibitors representing every link of the supply chain lined up to showcase the latest vehicles, technology, equipment, accessories, and business solutions the European market has to offer.Latest innovations
Attendees were among the first to see many new products and service developments as the Innovation Challenge makes its Euro Bus Expo debut.
Exhibitor entries displayed at the Innovation Challenge Gallery, where visitors voted for their favourites on the first two days of the show. The top ten suppliers of innovations with the most votes delivered a 90-second pitch to attendees and a panel of judges in the Masterclass Theatre on day three.
80+ vehicles confirmed
With strong support from leading manufacturers, converters and dealers, the show brought together 80+ vehicles from marques including BASE Coach Sales, Ilesbus Automotive, Irizar UK, London Hire, Noone Turas / Jones Coach & Bus Sales, Scania (Great Britain), TBC Conversions, Temsa, Treka Bus, Van Hool.
In the interactive Zero Emission Zone, sponsored by ESP Utilities Group and Enel X Way, visitors got up close and on-board the newest vehicles designed to decarbonise passenger travel.
Show visitors enjoyed ride-on vehicle demonstrations of the latest eco models by Alexander Dennis (BYD ADL Enviro400EV electric double deck bus), Equipmake (Optare Versa EVR battery-electric single deck bus), GM Coachwork (Maxus eDeliver 9 battery-electric minibus), Mellor (Sigma 10 battery-electric single deck bus), and Pelican Bus and Coach (Yutong TCe12 battery-electric coach).
Alexander Dennis, Equipmake, eVersum mobility solutions, EVM, Harris Bus & Coach UC, Irizar emobility, Mellor, Pelican Bus and Coach, PHVC Minibus & Fleet Suppliers, Switch Mobility and Volvo Group (UK) were also be exhibiting carbon-free vehicles elsewhere at the show.
Of the four score or more buses on display, many of them electric, and anyone that thinks the conversion of the bus fleet to electric power in the coming years, should certainly have to reconsider. While here maybe many challenges and even doubts about the likelihood and sensibility of such a transition, the reality is, it seems to be an unstoppable force.
From an Irish point of view, it was impressive to see so many companies at the core of this revolution, such as; Harris Bus & Coach, Noones, EVM and distributors like Central Bus & Coach, while Glasnevin based Siemens are big players in both the UK & Irish market with their charging stations.
Then there is Limerick based Transaura, which looks after telematics and other operational software.
Full report from the show in the December edition. Sean Murtagh
