The very first thing you’ll think when you see photos of the Joylong E6 is that it’s an older model of the Toyota HiAce bus. But, the shocking realization is that it’s not. Rather, the Joylong E6 is a fully electric bus from China that is only available in the Australian market yet.
This Joylong E6 is the EV variant of the ICE-powered Joylong A-series vans which have been produced in China since 2009.
When you first look at the Joylong E6, you’ll find striking similarities between it and the Toyota HiAce bus. In fact, the only difference you can spot is the slightly more aggressive angle of the headlights, the grille and the slightly different taillights.
Although this bus is yet to be available in the Nigerian market, Nigerians who are used to seeing HiAce buses on their streets will probably mistake the Joylong for a Toyota Hiace.
The initial thought was that the Chinese company had an agreement for licensing the design since the parts look very similar. However, Wikipedia points out that Joylong has never worked with Toyota, unlike other Chinese automakers who are producing and selling rebadged HiAce buses.
The speculation is that Toyota doesn’t care anymore, since the company has sold so many units of the fifth-gen HiAce (H200) since 2004. The brand has also revealed its all-new sixth-gen HiAce (H300) in 2019.
Some of the features of the Joylong E6 are;
- Identical footprint with ICE-powered A6
- Measures 5,990 mm (235.8 inches)
- Long (1,880 mm—74 inches) wide (2,320 mm—91.3 inches) tall with a stretched wheelbase of 3,720 mm (146.5 inches).
- Available in 12-seater and 14-seater variants
- The power train is 80 horsepower (60 kW/ 82 PS) and up to 382 Nm (282 lb ft) of torque
In Australia, the Joylong E6 market price is $90,000 AUD ($64,867 USD).
There’s still no information on when the Joylong E6 brand that’s produced in the Jiangsu Province in China will arrive in the Nigerian market. But, when it does, it’ll be difficult for many Nigerians to spot the physical difference between it and the Toyota HiAce bus.
