Ikarus may manufacture CRRC’s autonomous rubber-tired trams for the European market

The cooperation between Ikarus and the Chinese CRRC continues with an interesting chapter as Electrobus Europe Zrt., part of the Hungarian corporate group, and Hunan CRRC Intelligent Transport Technology Co., Ltd. (CRRC Zhixing) signed a strategic cooperation agreement to develop and introduce the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system, known in Hungarian as rubber-tired trams, to the European market. The aim is to revolutionize intelligent transportation solutions while strengthening the Ikarus brand presence in Europe and other jointly determined markets. According to the parties, the production of these unique vehicles would take place at the Ikarus factory in Székesfehérvár upon receiving orders from the countries involved.

Originally developed by CRRC, the innovative ART system belongs to the concepts combining bus and tram features. Its fixed-route nature is ensured by optical guidance, requiring only appropriately painted road markings instead of rails as a guiding system—and due to the vehicle’s size, usually a dedicated traffic lane is needed, although the infrastructure’s construction and maintenance costs are significantly lower than that of a traditional tram line. It features a driverless autonomous steering system—reducing driver workload, thus potentially improving traffic safety—but like buses, it is equipped with a steering wheel, with the driver seated along the vehicle’s centerline. This allows the vehicle to leave its designated route if necessary, for instance, to avoid unforeseen traffic obstacles.

The ART system, which has already received 11 international professional awards, is protected by over 300 patents. Its creators recommend it for cities prioritizing sustainability, efficiency, and comfort, although operating the vehicle in Europe also presents challenges in terms of regulatory environments—likely an area where Ikarus’s involvement is valued by CRRC, which primarily operates in the railway segment alongside bus manufacturing.

The technical details of the type to be manufactured in Székesfehérvár upon orders have not yet been disclosed. The vehicle, typically consisting of three car bodies (double articulated) and measuring 33 meters in length, has a modular design, meaning it can be expanded with up to two additional body modules if needed. The drive system can be purely electric (battery-powered) or hydrogen-powered, eliminating the need for overhead wires. The flexibility typical of buses is thus provided, while the capacity, interior design, and two driving positions evoke trams or metros. The floor design, aligned with the stop platform height, allows passengers to board the vehicle at level, ensuring fast passenger exchange while enhancing comfort. Another positive feature is that, according to the manufacturer, its energy consumption can be 30-40% lower than that of a bus or tram of the same size (if such existed). A version of the ART was showcased at the Berlin InnoTrans 2024 exhibition in September, and it also underwent test runs on the Istanbul BRT network from late March for two months—worth noting is that BKV specialists were also present at the vehicle’s Turkish premiere.

The CRRC ART 2.0 variant (the Chinese manufacturer offers the vehicle with several front designs), as we saw it at the InnoTrans 2024 exhibition

According to the manufacturer in Székesfehérvár, as part of the newly signed cooperation, experts from Ikarus and CRRC Zhixing will jointly participate in developing the ART system and aligning the product with European market and regulatory requirements. The vehicles will be manufactured at the Ikarus factory in Székesfehérvár, and Ikarus will provide the servicing infrastructure and support market entry in specified countries.

“We are delighted to collaborate with a market leader like CRRC Zhixing. This partnership provides us the opportunity to expand our offerings with new, innovative products and further enhance our professional commitment based on Ikarus’s traditions,” said Kelemen János Hunor, CEO of Electrobus Europe, regarding the signing of the agreement.

“It is important for CRRC Zhixing to apply our world-class technology in collaboration with such a historic and renowned brand. Our company has already sold more than 100 ART vehicles in the Asian region, and this collaboration provides us the opportunity to showcase the outstanding value of our products in the European market,” added Xiao Bingquan, representative of CRRC Zhixing.