Chinese-Bulgarian consortium Chariot Motors Higer, whose Bulgarian partners are Chariot Motors, has won the City of Sofia bid to supply 30 low-floor fast charge electric buses. The bid was for leva 34.95 million against an earmarked leva 38.4 million. The European Union Operational Programme Environment provides the funds as financing a move to cut air pollution.
The bid specified fast charging. This allows five minute terminus e-bus charges and hence round-the-clock use: the major difference with battery e-buses, which have longer range but most often need overnight recharging.
The bidders
The city announced the public procurement call last summer, drawing five bids. China’s Sichuan Xinzhu Tonggong Motor Vehicle and Bulgarian component and household refuse separator maker Drak EKO dropped out for failing to submit price bids. Romania’s Alstom Transport dropped out for failing to meet selection criteria.
This left two bids competing in the end: Chariot Motors Higer and Poland’s Solaris Bus. Chariot Motors’ technical proposal got the maximum 100 points, the Polish maker getting 83.5. This clinched the Chinese-Bulgarian consortium’s victory. Solaris had also wanted a higher price at leva 38.3 million.
Check more about Chariot e-buses on Sofia project.
