BRIST Axle was part of many of the disruptive bus projects unveiled in Busworld Brussels 2019. The most significant example was the new BYD 8.7 m e-Bus. BRIST has supplied independent front suspension and inverted portal axle to BYD’s remarkable e-Bus, capturing huge attention at the show. Furthermore, Karsan’s Jest electric launched with BMW i3 motors and batteries had BRIST single speed transmission.
Informs Gungor Oduncu, Strategy and Business Development Executive, BRIST Axle: “On top of our presence at electric buses of BYD, Karsan, Isuzu and many more, in this Busworld, we are launching brand new products for electric vehicles. One example is the independent drive suspension along with single speed transmission and prototype motor which is a best-fit for 4×4 and 4×2 light electric trucks. The prototype motor is not in serial production at the moment, but it will be so in one year and it will be under the BRIST brand.”
Driven by their extensive know-how and expertise in independent front suspension field, BRIST is strongly competent in independent drive suspensions which are quite disruptive for the electric vehicle industry. Adds Oduncu: “The one displayed here is the most suitable for 17.5” rim size which will be used for electric light passenger as well as logistic vehicles. The position of the air springs is patented one therefore compared to the competitors’ products we are lighter by 70-100 kg. It’s the design and layout that help us save weight. The 4×4 all-wheel drive vehicle is also being developed for a large logistics company in USA. It can fit for both truck and buses.”
With its inimitable sense to pick innovative ideas, BRIST is fast-emerging as a disruptive axle solution provider. Being a strong brand in its home country Turkey, the company has been partnering with wide range of players across the globe by appealing to their unique challenges. “We would like to be known as a solution partner to the OEMs. If we believe in the vehicle idea and if we are convinced in product’s potential, we will enter into the agreement to innovate. As we speak, we are jointly developing 8 axle all steerable axle for a leading gangway provider from Germany. We are optimistic that requirement for high-capacity vehicles will only increase in countries like China and India and this is one area the manufacturers of longer buses shall want to get into,” he explains.
Electric vehicles have been drastically changing the automotive industry, where bus and coaches are expected to stand out and influence the segment. E-buses are surpassing the growth of every other EV segment: they constitute the fastest-growing part of the EV market, with a compound annual growth rate of more than 100% since 2013, compared with 60% for fully electric passenger cars. Given the targets in European Commission Report and aggressive growth rate observed, 75% of urban buses sold in Europe is expected to be electric in 2030. “In order to stay competitive in this new market, OEMs would require innovative approaches and the off-the-shelf axles will no longer be the solution. It will require collaboration with partners like us,” asserts Oduncu.
As the electric bus market picks up across the world, also in India, Gungor sees huge potential for them in India. “India is the next China in terms of growth prospects of electric mobility. While China is in the middle of the momentum, India is at the beginning. We are looking for local partners. With BYD already entering India and many homegrown manufacturers looking for partners in electric expertise, we look forward to collaborating,” he expresses.
With many projects in prototype, sampling and delivery stage and the growth of electric as well as conventional solutions only going to further propel their business, BRIST’s revenues would quintuple over the next 5 years. “We are a 20 million Euro company currently; if things go as planned, we shall be a Euro 100 million company in the next five years,” concludes Oduncu