Irizar unveils offshoot of the i3 electric and revamped ie bus

At Busworld, Irizar is putting the spotlight on a new offshoot of the Irizar i3 electric and a new generation of its Irizar ie bus electric city bus. Both vehicles are designed to score points above all with greater efficiency, which is why Irizar also describes the models as representatives of its new ‘Efficient Series.’

Irizar i3 elektrobus electric bus min — Image: Irizar

The redesigned ie bus (Class I) and the new i3 electric Normal Floor (Class II) are on display at the Irizar stand at the Brussels trade fair until tomorrow. The former is a city bus, while the latter is an intercity bus. The i3 is an offshoot of the low-entry electric bus Irizar i3 launched in October 2024, only with a “normal floor.” The technology remains almost entirely the same. The electric intercity bus has a central drive with 260 kW continuous power and 325 kW peak power (in combination with a three-speed transmission) and can accelerate to up to 100 kph.

The i3 electric Normal Floor can be ordered as a two- or three-axle vehicle with a length of just under 13 or 15 metres. The lithium-ion battery on board, which is not described in detail, can have an energy content of up to 528 kWh in the two-axle version and up to 716 kWh in the three-axle version. This should enable ranges of more than 400 and 500 kilometres respectively. Irizar specifies the DC charging power as up to 300 kW.

According to Irizar, the offshoot is important ‘to ensure all intercity operations and passenger comfort’. The luggage compartment has a capacity of a good seven cubic metres, although the volume depends on the length and configuration of the vehicle. As with the premiere of the low-entry version of the i3 electric, the Spanish manufacturer emphasises the use of lighter and more stable materials, which has reduced the weight by 1,000 kg. Although Irizar does not name a reference bus, it is likely to be referring to its own previous generation. According to Irizar, the offshoot is important ‘to ensure all intercity operations and passenger comfort’. The luggage compartment has a capacity of a good seven cubic metres, although the volume depends on the length and configuration of the vehicle. As with the launch of the low-entry version of the i3 electric, the Spanish manufacturer emphasises the use of lighter and more stable materials, which has reduced the weight by 1,000 kg. Although Irizar does not name a reference bus, it is likely to be referring to its own previous generation.

In principle, the manufacturer attaches great importance to a common parts strategy: ‘The electric Irizar i3 Normal Floor shares components with the other Irizar models, and almost all exterior elements are compatible with the electric Irizar i3 Low Entry. This minimises the spare parts inventory, making the electric Irizar i3 Normal Floor a more efficient and sustainable vehicle in terms of operation, maintenance and repair,’ they say.

Let’s take a look at the new Irizar ie bus Efficient – the new name for the redesigned city bus. The series has been on the market since 2014 and now features a more compact engine, more efficient batteries and a lighter weight (thanks to new materials), among other things. The 10- and 12-metre versions offer a maximum battery capacity of 510 kWh. The 18-metre bus can hold up to 714 kWh. Irizar now specifies a range of 350 kilometres for all three models.

Irizar ie bus neue generation min — Image: Irizar

The centrally installed synchronous motor delivers 185 kW of rated power in the two smaller buses and 285 kW in the articulated bus. The new generation of vehicles is designed to offer greater flexibility in terms of both interior configuration and the position of the charging port. In addition, the DC charging capacity is now up to 600 kW. According to the Spanish manufacturer, the new Irizar ie bus can be registered as a standard city bus or as a Class 2 vehicle, i.e. an intercity bus.

Imanol Rego, CEO of the Irizar Group, commented: “We continue our path of decarbonisation with a technological neutrality. We do believe that it’s possible to decarbonise with a range of multi-technology vehicles. Our mission is to bring the best solution to our customers, citizens and people.” In recent years, his company has expanded its Efficient range. “With this new range we’re achieving annual savings of up to 150,000 tons of CO₂.”

At the same time, Irizar emphasises its intention to maintain its international focus. The European market currently accounts for around 60 per cent of the Irizar Group’s turnover. Countries such as Mexico, South America and Australia are also strategically important markets for Irizar.

irizar-emobility.com, irizar-emobility.com (ie bus), irizar.com (i3)

This article was first published by Cora Werwitzke for electrive’s German edition