Volvo Is Present At Busworld 2025, But Through Its Proxy Coachbuilders – CleanTechnica

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Volvo unveils BZR electric coach chassis at Busworld 2025 with complete bodies

Arriving late at Busworld 2025 wasn’t the plan. But weather, ticketing issues, and a missed transfer contributed to what was the most exhausting trip that could ever be stamped on my passport.

But that didn’t matter. Because the story of the Volvo BZR Electric coach chassis debut at Busworld Europe 2025 begins not on the bustling floor of the Brussels Expo, but in a September press announcement that confirmed Volvo Buses’ new strategic direction: focusing entirely on being a chassis and core technology provider for the coach segment.

On September 24, 2025, Volvo Buses officially launched the BZR Electric coach chassis, extending its proven electromobility platform to intercity and long-distance applications. This move was the logical culmination of a business model shift, where Volvo — having ceased complete bus production in Europe — leverages the specialization of external bodybuilders.

Volvo Buses President Anna Westerberg emphasized this strategy from the start: “Our new electric chassis reaches for more than just extended operating range. It enables new routes and gives operators greater versatility.” This focus on a flexible platform, rather than a single completed vehicle, set the stage for an unconventional, yet impactful, exhibition at Busworld.

A platform, not just a chassis

The BZR is a platform, not merely a chassis to build a bus on. It has the engineering designed to eliminate long-distance range anxiety. The coach chassis supports a modular battery architecture, allowing it to be tailored precisely to operational needs. Here is what it has:

• Massive Battery Capacity: The largest configuration supports up to eight modular energy storage units, delivering an industry-leading 720 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of capacity.
• Extended Range: This power allows for a tested operating range approaching 700 kilometers under the SORT 3 cycle. For operators wary of range anxiety, that’s enough to cover many traditional diesel coach routes without mid-journey charging stops.

The platform offers profound flexibility: operators can specify between four and eight battery modules, balancing payload and range. Available in both two-axle (4×2) and three-axle (6×2) configurations, the platform supports a massive gross weight of 27,200 kilograms and accommodates vehicle lengths from 9.5 to 14.9 meters.

Infrastructure game-changer

Charging infrastructure has long been cited as the Achilles heel of electric coach operations. Volvo’s response is to support multiple charging protocols, providing maximum operational versatility. The BZR Electric handles 250 kW CCS fast charging for depot-based operations, but the real operational flexibility comes from its 450-kilowatt OppCharge capability.

This high-power opportunity charging system allows the coach to efficiently top up batteries during scheduled stops at terminals or rest areas, effectively extending range and daily operating hours, which several analysts described as a “game-changer.” Power delivery is equally adaptable; operators can specify either a single 200 kW motor or step up to a dual-motor 400 kW configuration paired with a two-speed automated gearbox for more demanding routes and terrain.

Launch by proxy

Volvo Buses made its powerful statement at Busworld 2025 without a booth. The lack of a proprietary stand ensured its partners were the center of attention. This was the ultimate realization of the company’s commitment to its new business model, where the chassis acts as the innovative centerpiece upon which regional experts apply their specialized bodywork.

• Carrus Delta: The Finnish bodybuilder had already completed the first bodied versions for customers in the Nordic and Benelux markets. This finished product, built on the BZR Electric, served as the first public realization of the chassis’s potential.
• Castrosua Group: Spanish coachbuilder Castrosua announced it would present its first battery-electric coach using the BZR chassis, marking what many see as a watershed moment for Spain’s coach manufacturing sector. The company has by far the strongest presence in the show, their coaches build over products not only from Volvo but many other Chinese and European bus makers as well.
• MCV (Manufacturing Commercial Vehicles): City and Intercity Buses (built on the BZR platform, specifically the BZR Low Entry/Electric). MCV is Volvo’s definitive partner for manufacturing the bodies of the Volvo 8900 Electric intercity bus and the 7900 Electric city bus, both of which utilize the BZR electromobility platform. The BZR chassis was initially launched with the 8900 Electric (bodied by MCV) and later expanded to the high-capacity coach variant. MCV’s new production facility in Egypt is a key part of Volvo’s European supply chain for complete electric buses.
• Sunsundegui: Volvo signed a letter of intent with Sunsundegui in 2023 for the manufacture of bodies for its tourist buses (which typically use a Volvo chassis like the B13R). While the BZR Electric coach variant was launched, Sunsundegui is confirmed as a strategic body partner for Volvo’s tourist bus segment, suggesting a likely future product on the BZR platform.

This collaborative approach allows Volvo to scale its technology across diverse markets without forcing operators into a one-size-fits-all solution. Each bodybuilder brings its own design language, interior configurations, and local market expertise to the platform, while integrating Volvo’s complete suite of active safety systems, including collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control.

As Volvo Senior Vice President Dan Pettersson noted, “Together with operators, we are making travel safer, more comfortable, and sustainable than ever before.”

Safety and driver experience

The chassis integrates Volvo’s complete suite of active safety systems, including collision avoidance, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control. “Together with operators, we are making travel safer, more comfortable, and sustainable than ever before,” noted Dan Pettersson, Senior Vice President at Volvo Buses.

Driver comfort received equal attention. Ergonomic instrument clusters, highly adjustable seating, and the inherently smooth operation of electric drivetrains combine to create what Volvo describes as a workplace designed to attract and retain professional drivers — an increasingly critical consideration in an industry facing driver shortages.

Industry observers at Busworld recognized the BZR Electric as a potential inflection point for long-distance coach electrification.

The timing is significant. And the proxy appearance with all its collaborations was a perfect launch in my book.

So, as urban areas across Europe implement increasingly stringent low-emission zones, coaches serving these destinations face mounting pressure to transition away from diesel. The BZR Electric offers a path forward that doesn’t compromise operational reach or passenger capacity. The question is no longer whether such vehicles are possible, but how quickly operators will adopt them.