Bus Stop Sales Partners with King Long to introduce Electric Bus Range
For years, Bus Stop Sales has been committed to introducing electric bus technology to Australia. Through its strategic partnership with King Long, the company is now leading the charge towards sustainable change in the bus and coach industry.
The Australian bus sector is on the cusp of a significant transformation as it transitions to zero-emissions solutions. Bus Stop Sales, a Brisbane-based distributor, is determined to be at the forefront of this evolution. The company’s dedication to sustainability, both in its product offerings and at its Rocklea headquarters, has earned it multiple awards for self-funded sustainability projects.
“Our deep understanding of the industry and focus on innovation led us to establish Bus Stop Sales, aiming to provide customized solutions for our valued bus and coach customers,” explains director Pete White. “While we initially focused on importing and distributing a single-make bus, we quickly expanded our offerings. Today, we’re recognized as the only end-to-end supplier catering to diverse industry needs, from 12 to 70 seats, diesel or electric, and high-floor coach or urban city bus solutions.”
The collaboration between Bus Stop Sales and King Long, the world’s largest bus manufacturing group, has been instrumental in this transformative journey. This partnership has allowed Bus Stop Sales to work with early adopters of battery electric bus technology, as King Long was well ahead of its time in this space. King Long built China’s earliest hybrid bus in 1997 and developed full electric battery bus capabilities by 2002.
“We’ve made substantial investments in ready-to-go electric bus stock, despite a slower-than-anticipated transition,” White notes. “Policy clarity and commitment are crucial to support wider adoption.”
Bus Stop Sales is passionate about accelerating the uptake of new-energy buses, whether fully imported, domestically assembled, or built by Australian content manufacturers. This aligns with King Long’s commitment to the Australian market, as expressed by Harvey Zheng, Xiamen King Long director for the Australian market: “We’re proud of our 16-year presence in Australia and are committed to supporting the market with the best solutions to meet operators’ needs.”
While electric models have yet to reach price parity with diesel, Bus Stop Sales has ensured quality is not compromised. King Long is consistently recognized as a leading global brand for producing battery electric buses.
White’s vision extends beyond just buses – he aims to lead a sustainable revolution in public transport while addressing climate change. This commitment is evident in the numerous sustainability initiatives implemented at Bus Stop’s Brisbane Bus Centre, including investments in on-site battery and solar projects, rainwater collection, and waste reduction efforts.
“As cities worldwide commit to reducing their carbon footprints and improving air quality, pressure has mounted on the transportation sector to innovate,” White explains. He believes electric buses will soon become the backbone of Australia’s urban, short-haul, and on-demand transport industry.
White began advocating for electric buses before they dominated industry discussions, positioning both Bus Stop Sales and King Long at the forefront of Australia’s electric revolution. The company has invested in designing and delivering the first sustainable electric school bus in the private education sector.
Despite challenges such as inadequate charging infrastructure, White has been proactive in building partnerships across the e-bus ecosystem. “We identified early that bus supply is only a small part of the transition journey. For successful deployment, we need the infrastructure to be in place,” he says.
As the market rapidly evolves, White calls for collaboration across traditional boundaries to ease the transition for operators. “We’re exploring partnerships and pilot projects to bring autonomous electric buses to Australian cities, positioning Bus Stop and King Long at the cutting edge of transport technology,” he adds.
White concludes, “I’m passionate about promoting sustainability throughout the entire life cycle of buses. By taking a holistic approach, we aim to ensure that the electric bus transition is truly transformative and benefits the environment in multiple ways.”
