The domestic engineering and energy giant, MAPNA Group, has unveiled its first locally-produced electric bus in the shrine city of Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi Province.
Dubbed ‘Shetab’, the e-bus was introduced during a ceremony held late last week. The vehicle is designed and manufactured by Parsan Electric Bus Production Company, a joint venture between MAPNA and Oghab Afshan Industrial and Manufacturing Company, ISNA reported.
According to the manufacturing company, the monocoque design of the body and chassis structure distinguish Shetab electric bus from other models.
The low-deck bus has no steps and is developed on a product lifecycle management platform, which allows several companies to work on all technical processes at the same time, such as detailed and master design, engineering, production and project management.
Shetab is a smart vehicle, equipped with data center connectivity, energy recovery, quick charging and a cutting-edge display system. Its cooling system is compatible with Iran’s climatic pattern.
According to Parsan Electric Bus Production Company, over 60% of the vehicle are designed and manufactured domestically. MAPNA intends to achieve 100% indigenization by investing in parallel battery and engine development projects.
These electric buses will be offered in several forms, each with a different battery capacity to meet the demands of different routes.
The event was attended by MAPNA CEO Abbas Aliabadi, CEO of Parsan Electric Bus Production Company Kambiz Moradi, Mashhad Mayor Mohammad Reza Kalaei and a number of senior officials.
Energy Challenges
Speaking at the ceremony, Aliabadi said energy supply has become a key concern, as the world population is growing and industrialization has accelerated.
MAPNA’s CEO also highlighted the importance of making efforts to achieve viable solutions for ensuring access to sustainable energy resources by “increasing productivity and lowering fuel consumption”.
"The world is on track to reduce or even end carbon dioxide emission by 2050. As a result, Iran needs to move toward electrification," he said, emphasizing the importance of switching to renewable energies.
Aliabadi noted that the electric bus is a big step toward producing “an eco-friendly vehicle with the capacity to meet future smart urban fleet demands”.
Moradi said the development of the new bus is a significant stride toward electrification and this goal indicates the aspirations of MAPNA and Oghab Afshan to reach sustainability in the critical energy field.
Mashhad Mayor Mohammad Reza Kalaei said green buses are the future of transportation in megacities like Mashhad.
“Electrification is a key step toward resolving the energy difficulties of sprawling metropolitans. Mashhad is a pioneering city in the use of electric urban transportation,” he added.
The official noted that MAPNA and Oghab Afshan have signed a deal to deliver 100 e-powered buses to Mashhad Municipality, of which 10 will join the fleet in the current Iranian year (ends March 2022).
Previous Moves
In late May, MAPNA Electric and Control Engineering and Manufacturing Company (MECO) set up a joint venture with Bam Khodro, a subsidiary of Kerman Motor Company, for the design and production of A- and B-class EVs and the development of relevant technologies.
In the first phase, the deal calls for the production of public electric vehicles. As a result, MECO will be responsible for the cars' engines, batteries and electronic systems.
The bus cabins, trimmings and mechanical parts will be made by Bam Khodro.
The associated firms will shortly release a prototype with a 15-kWh battery that will enable the bus to travel 100 kilometers at an average speed of 80 kilometers per hour.
The vehicles are managed by automated EV controller software, which allows the drivers to open doors and control passenger fare payment and reservation.
Last summer, EV production ambitions pushed MAPNA to join the major automaker Iran Khodro Company (IKCO).
After successfully testing 20 EV prototypes in June, MAPNA joined hands with IKCO to mass produce electric vehicles for the first time.
According to Aliabadi, MAPNA hopes to boost Iran’s auto supply chain. “The simultaneous development of software and hardware is the basis of developing electric vehicles. Local production of all parts is high on MAPNA’s agenda. Although the work is still in the preliminary stage, we have made headways.”
Underlining the necessity of serious and hard work for manufacturing electronic vehicles in Iran, Aliabadi emphasized that even if domestic automakers show reluctance, MAPNA will continue to tread the path it has embarked on.
Key Infrastructures
MAPNA is the first local company to pave the way for the launch of EVs in the country by setting up charging stations.
The company is working on establishing EV charging stations in all Iranian provinces as a vital infrastructure for promoting zero emission vehicles.
According to Aliabadi, Mashhad is the second city to house an electric charging station following the pioneering launch in Tehran.
Iran’s first EV charging station was set up at Tehran’s Milad Tower in May 2019 by MAPNA.
Built over 700 square meters, the station includes a 43-kilovolt alternating current charger, plus a fast charger working under the CHAdeMO Protocol, a trade name of a quick charging method for electric vehicles, which suits Japanese and South Korean EV brands such as Kia, Nissan and Mitsubishi.
The station also includes a 4.7-kv slow charger and a 5.5-kv charger that can be used by electric motorcycles.
Aliabadi noted that the technology of producing electric vehicles is being taught in world universities for over 30 years now. He expressed his company's readiness to collaborate with car manufacturers and Tehran Taxi Organization to upgrade the country’s transport system with the help of EV technology.
“It is high time we invest in EVs," he declared, urging local carmakers to pay more attention to EVs.
Adding that the group has already started working on EV technology, Aliabadi said, “MAPNA has been working to bridge the technological gap, especially concerning the capacity of car batteries. Fortunately, noticeable progress has been made, but still more investment should be made in producing batteries.”
