Woojinsanjon, a domestic railway manufacturing company, is set to develop a low-floor electric bus with a range of 420 kilometers. The company will enhance the bus's range and safety through a national research and development (R&D) project based in Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, while also localizing key components.
On June 25, Woojinsanjon announced that it has been selected for a national R&D project under the regional innovation cluster development initiative led by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Korea Industrial Technology Association, and the North Gyeongsang Province Industrial Promotion Agency. The project is valued at 10.1 billion won (approximately $8.5 million) and focuses on developing an eco-friendly low-floor electric bus.
The research project aims to create a 420-kilometer range low-floor electric bus equipped with high-safety core components designed for individuals with mobility challenges. It will focus on developing three key technologies: an AI-based battery pack, an 800V silicon carbide (SiC) power module, and a wide low-floor bus platform. The project will run from this year until 2030.
Since launching its electric bus production facility in Gimcheon in March 2024, Woojinsanjon has established a lineup of electric buses ranging from 9-meter community buses to 12-meter charter buses. Through this project, the company plans to introduce a proprietary model that enhances passenger convenience and safety, incorporating universal design features for wheelchair accessibility and a cybersecurity system to improve safety for individuals with mobility challenges.
Localization of key components is also a primary goal. Currently, domestic eco-friendly buses rely heavily on imported parts such as batteries and power modules. Woojinsanjon aims to localize these components to ensure stability in the future vehicle parts supply chain and enhance technological independence.
To facilitate the smooth progress of the project, local automotive parts companies, including Gyeongbuk IT Convergence Industry Technology Institute, Gyeongbuk Automotive Embedded Research Institute, Gyeongbuk Technopark, HS Hae Sung, Phoenix Tech, EcoCap, Future EV, and GKR, will also participate collaboratively.
Industry experts expect this initiative to contribute to building an eco-friendly mobility ecosystem by conducting everything from parts development to vehicle testing locally.
A Woojinsanjon representative stated, "This project holds significant meaning in ensuring the mobility rights of individuals with disabilities and establishing a model for regional coexistence. We aim to successfully lead this project to pioneer technological innovation in the eco-friendly commercial vehicle sector and present a successful regional standard business model."
Meanwhile, Woojinsanjon has entered the eco-friendly public transportation market with the launch of its Apollo series of electric buses. As of last year, the cumulative production of electric buses exceeded 1,200 units.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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