ENC, a U.S.-based transit bus manufacturer and subsidiary of Rivaz Inc., has unveiled its ZAVIR electric shuttle, an original concept vehicle.

The vehicle features a future-forward design including functional aerodynamics, signature lighting, clean proportions, panoramic windshield views, and a futuristic cockpit.

Meeting the Evolving Demands of Public Transportation

Two variants of the concept shuttles were revealed: a low-floor configuration and a high-floor configuration. The shuttles measure 22 feet long and 8 feet wide, offer seating for up to 18 passengers plus standees, and provide wheelchair access by lift or ramp.

Alongside ENC's established diesel, hybrid, and battery-electric transit buses, ZAVIR™ expands both the vehicle classes and the propulsion options ENC brings to the market.

ENC anticipates the ZAVIR vehicle completing Federal Transit Administration bus testing at the Altoona Bus Research and Testing Center next year, with reservations of the ZAVIR shuttle anticipated to open in late 2027. Commercial availability and production launch of the vehicle at ENC's Jurupa Valley facility are estimated for 2028.

Designed Together From the Start

Certain shuttles in this class begin life as a legacy narrow body van, or cutaway chassis built for another purpose, with a passenger body added afterward. ZAVIR took the opposite approach with the vehicle architecture, electric drive, accessibility features, and interior engineered together from the start, so each system can work with the others rather than around them.

Operators can choose between two propulsion options: a battery-electric configuration with an estimated range of 150 miles, or a range-extended electric configuration that adds a high efficiency gasoline generator, refuels with standard fuel, and extends total range to over 450 miles for longer routes and cold-weather operation.

The battery-electric configuration supports DC fast charging at up to 200 kW.