Etalon Corporation, a leading Ukrainian vehicle manufacturer, has unveiled its Malva Electro A08611, a 9.5-meter electric city bus prototype that has completed all tests and is now preparing for certification. The company’s president, Volodymyr Butko, shared the news at a press conference on Thursday, emphasizing the growing demand for environmentally-friendly transport in the European market. Butko expressed confidence in the bus’s market potential, highlighting the importance of adapting production and design to meet environmental standards.
The Malva Electro is based on the company’s Malva diesel bus, first launched last year, and developed in collaboration with Moldova’s Informservis for high-voltage traction equipment. The electric bus boasts a range of up to 200 kilometers and features a unique roof-mounted battery system, with 24 seats, 29 standing places, and wheelchair space. It also offers LED lighting and an optional Euro 6 diesel-powered liquid heater, enhancing performance in cold climates.
Butko acknowledged the higher price of electric buses compared to diesel models, with the Malva Electro priced about three times higher than a standard diesel bus. However, he pointed out that Etalon’s prices remain competitive compared to European counterparts, such as Solaris and Otocar, which cost between EUR 530,000 and EUR 550,000. He also noted that Ukraine’s lower electricity and labor costs allow the company to offer more affordable pricing.
Etalon Corporation, which operates 12 enterprises, including the Chernihiv Automobile Plant, remains committed to advancing sustainable public transportation in Ukraine and expanding its presence in the European market.
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