Asiastar is debuting its range of electric vans, cab chassis and buses in Australia.
Foton Mobility Distribution is importing the EV range, supported by a nationwide network of dealers and service partners.
The Asiastar products available from launch will be a 70kWh and 105.6hWh van and cab chassis, while the bus variant will be available with the larger 105.6kWh battery, fitted with 12 seats or no seats, for configurations that require bespoke fitouts.
The 105.6kWh battery is supplied by CATL, with the system running to 500 volts, while under the bonnet a three-in-one MCU, PCU and DCDC unit control power supply to the vehicle.
Meanwhile, the eAxle motor can provide 3890Nm torque and 140kW power, with its compact packaging allowing space for the larger battery packs.
Range is estimated at 300km for the larger battery and the standard suite of safety features includes ABS braking, autonomous electric braking, electronic stability control, lane departure warning and a reversing camera on the van and bus.
The eAxle provides a weight saving of around 10%, while the removal of various components from the driveline improves efficiency by 5% to 10%, the company says.
The offering has been tailored to cater to last-mile deliveries, trades and construction companies, local government use, community transport, aged care, and patient transport, as well as for integration into rental companies.
Asiastar was founded in 1949 and is a subsidiary of the Weichai Group – ranked 18th in China’s top 100 multinational companies, with a global workforce of 100,000 and an annual revenue of A$65 billion.
“It’s an exciting time to be bringing the Asiastar product to Australia, with the brand providing a range that is truly in demand by the local market,” says Foton Mobility Distribution’s light duty vehicles general manager Bill Gillespie.
“In Australia, commercial vehicle buyers are now looking to all-electric solutions to meet their environmental mandate, and through Asiastar, we have a comprehensive range that are proven performers, which simply make financial sense,” he explains.
“The electric van segment is truly underserviced locally, and with the innovations we are bringing to the market with our leading battery size, range, and eAxle configuration, we know that this will be a hit.
“From a price standpoint, the cab chassis version starts at under A$90,000 excluding GST, which really brings down one of the main barriers to converting to EV.”
Gillespie says Asiastar is making big inroads in various markets around the world, and Foton Mobility Distribution is working closely with the factory and local upfitters to provide off-the-shelf and tailored solutions catering to any application.
All products have a 4500kg GVM and are capable of being driven on a car licence.
With the market topping 105.6kWh battery fitted, the van can haul a maximum payload of 1480kg within its 10.5m3 cargo space, or with the smaller battery, the van is rated to a top payload of 1700kg.
The cab chassis variant, meanwhile, allows for complete customisation of the cargo area of the vehicle, for a Pantech body, a tray, or any other combination.
With the smaller battery fitted, a 1870kg payload is possible, while the larger battery allows for 1650kg.
The 12-seat bus configuration meanwhile features a manual folding step and a fixed handrail, with the passenger seats finished in either cloth or vinyl, resulting in a 1250kg payload.
The Asiastar range is backed by a five-year or 200,000km warranty, with the main traction batteries enjoying an eight-year or 300,000km warranty, while 24/7 roadside and phone support will be provided by NTI Truck Assist.
Outside of the base vehicle, the platform’s total cost of ownership figures stack up via the elimination of fuel expenses, with extended 30,000km service intervals complimented by the low requirement for ongoing consumables, the company says.
Initial stock for the range has now landed in Australia and is expected to arrive in dealerships by the end of Q1 this year.
