Australia Approves Tiny EV Bus From Industry Giant

Australia is one step closer to seeing a new zero-emissions player on urban streets — the Yutong E7S, an all-electric minibus now approved for sale in two variants.

The 14 and 17-seat versions of the E7S have officially cleared regulatory hurdles, as revealed in a recent filing spotted by Zappedau’s Roland and shared on X. While details are still limited, this marks a major milestone for one of the world’s most dominant bus manufacturers as it expands into Australia’s clean transport space.

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Compact size, serious range

Designed for city and suburban routes, the E7S is no lightweight. The 17-seat variant has a tare weight of 6,350 kg and a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 8,500 kg, putting it firmly in the mid-size commercial segment.

International specifications show a 163kWh battery delivering up to 300km of range, likely using CATL’s LFP battery tech. Yutong and CATL entered a 10-year strategic partnership in 2022.

The E7S will feature long-life packs backed by serious warranties (in China), up to 1.5 million kilometres or 15 years of service life. That kind of longevity makes it ideal for fleet operators looking to electrify with confidence.

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More than just seats

Despite its 17-seat layout, the E7S can carry up to 35 passengers, making it highly versatile for dense city routes, school runs, or corporate shuttles. It also includes side doors with wheelchair accessibility, ensuring it meets modern standards for inclusive transport.

The E7S is Yutong’s 18th fully electric model, built on the Yutong Electric Architecture (YEA) platform. YEA is billed as the commercial transport industry’s first all-electric vehicle architecture, designed to fully integrate hardware and software across a wide range of vehicle applications.

That modular platform enables Yutong to roll out models powered by battery-electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and even hydrogen fuel-cell systems, but in practice, the market is choosing electric.

According to Yutong’s Asia-Pacific CEO Kent Chang, 80% of customer interest is focused squarely on full EVs — a stat that lines up with global trends in zero-emission public transport.

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Zero-emissions buses, made for Australia

Yutong’s ambitions for Australia are clear. The company, which claims 95% market share in China and 10% globally, is turning its attention to the Asia-Pacific region — and that includes serious plans for local expansion.

At last year’s Bus & Coach Show in Brisbane, the E7S was officially unveiled to Australian audiences. Now, with local approvals locked in, it's only a matter of time before the E7S starts rolling out across Australian cities.

While launch timing and pricing remain under wraps, the E7S is positioned to be a strong fit for operators needing compact size, big range, and zero tailpipe emissions.

A cleaner future on wheels

With over 190,000 New Energy buses delivered globally by September 2024, Yutong is a clear leader in the electric bus category.

Australia’s public transport system has lagged behind in electrification compared to other developed nations. But the local approval of models like the Yutong E7S signals a turning point.

This is the kind of clean, capable urban transport solution Australia needs — and the kind EV advocates have been waiting for.

▶️BEFORE YOU GO: Try Zecar's EV cost calculator that helps you find estimated cost of maintaining an EV