On March 26, 2025, Shandong Heavy Industry Group's subsidiary ZHONGTONG Bus successfully held a departure ceremony in Liaocheng, Shandong Province, marking the initial shipment of its 895-unit pure electric bus order for Chile. The fleet comprises ZHONGTONG N-series urban transit buses, representing China's largest export order for buses to Chile in recent years.

Upon successful delivery, these buses will serve Santiago's public transportation system, ushering in a new era of green commuting for local residents.

Since entering the Chilean market in 2007, ZHONGTONG Bus has cultivated a strong presence over 18 years.

From copper mining regions in northern Chile to Antofagasta's urban areas, and from central O'Higgins Province to the capital Santiago, ZHONGTONG buses have traversed cities, beaches, and mines across the country. As Chile prioritizes environmental protection and sustainable development—aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050—and accelerates the electrification of public transit, ZHONGTONG Bus leverages its expertise in new energy vehicles to actively participate in the nation's mobility transformation.

In 2021 and 2022, ZHONGTONG's H12Plus pure electric high-end tour buses were consecutively delivered to Chile, supporting commuting shuttle bus operations in the country's copper mining zones. These orders set domestic records for single-batch exports of pure electric tour buses. 

In 2023, 40 ZHONGTONG electric buses entered service in Antofagasta, marking Chile's first city outside Santiago to adopt electric buses in bulk. In May 2024, Chilean President Gabriel Boric witnessed the delivery of ZHONGTONG N-series electric buses to Rancagua in O'Higgins Province.

In 2025, ZHONGTONG's H12Plus models once again secured bulk export orders for Chile's tourism and commuting markets. 

With the phased delivery of 895 N-series electric buses, ZHONGTONG's "green quotient" in Chile continues to rise, accelerating the nation's green transportation transition.

Why ZHONGTONG for Chile's Mega Order?

Chile, a developed South American nation with a highly competitive open market, hosts global bus manufacturers including European and American brands. Amid critical green transitions, Chile demands not only quantity but also high-quality standards for eco-friendly buses.

ZHONGTONG's breakthrough in securing Chile's 895-unit order hinges on its robust core technologies and customized development capabilities. As China's pioneer in new energy bus R&D and commercialization, ZHONGTONG possesses a suite of international first-class technologies spanning batteries, motor controls, and system integration. The company leads in energy-efficient innovations, integrated designs, powertrain matching, and vehicle control systems, ensuring reliability and low energy consumption.

Building on its technological prowess, ZHONGTONG conducted comprehensive research on Chilean road conditions, traffic regulations, operational needs, and passenger habits to deliver tailored solutions. For Chile's narrow, hilly roads, the buses feature optimized control strategies enhancing maneuverability, power, and efficiency. Human-centric designs—such as electronic locks for sliding windows, blind-spot detection, electronic fencing, and smart safety functions—boost comfort and safety.

Additionally, ZHONGTONG equipped the fleet with advanced charging/discharging technologies to maximize operational value. A localized after-sales service network ensures standardized, timely, and efficient support.

Since 2024, ZHONGTONG's new energy buses have expanded to Portugal, Singapore, Denmark, the UAE, and more. Targeting the global premium bus market, ZHONGTONG leverages new energy innovation to secure market share.

Moving forward, ZHONGTONG will strengthen technological innovation, forge core competitiveness through cutting-edge products, and promote China's "green intelligent manufacturing" brand, contributing Chinese wisdom to global green transportation transitions.

Source : www.chinabuses.org

Editor : David

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