Proposed long-term programme combines Australian zero-emission bus technology, genuine local chassis and body manufacturing, local battery assembly, skilled employment, and regional and international export potential.
Australian bus manufacturer Custom Denning is planning what would be the biggest investment in electric bus manufacturing in Sri Lanka by an overseas entity, with a proposed facility to manufacture electric buses for domestic public transport and regional and international export markets.
The transport sector in Sri Lanka is still under pressure due to rising diesel prices. Compared to the low-floor diesel buses already operating on local roads, Custom Denning predicts that its electric buses can deliver savings of roughly 50% in total lifecycle costs over a 15-year period. This will reduce lifecycle transport costs and create opportunities for the export of Sri Lankan-made vehicles to regional and international markets.
The proposed programme concentrates on genuine local chassis and body manufacturing, technology transfer, and the development of Sri Lankan component suppliers to meet international automotive standards. The factory is intended to establish large-scale manufacturing capabilities in Sri Lanka, which would be an important step forward for the country’s automotive industry, rather than simply assembling imported kits or importing completed buses. The company is also proposing to establish a local battery assembly industry in collaboration with a European technology partner. This would present an opportunity to bring cutting-edge battery technology, develop local technical expertise, and establish a new supporting industry in Sri Lanka.
With over 50 years of operations, electric buses running on Australian roads, and ongoing expansion into regional and international markets, Custom Denning is Australia’s oldest bus builder. Building on its existing local engineering office, the proposed Sri Lankan manufacturing plant is intended to generate direct employment for local engineers, technicians and tradespeople, while also providing indirect opportunities across component suppliers and supporting industries. It will give Sri Lankan professionals and technicians valuable exposure to international projects and standards, while strengthening local technical capabilities, engineering knowledge and advanced manufacturing expertise.
Beyond the manufacturing opportunity, the programme could help reduce foreign currency spent on imported diesel, support greater energy sovereignty and contribute to a more sustainable economy that is more resilient to external shocks. Custom Denning aims to establish a complete, end-to-end solution that is not presently offered by any single supplier in Sri Lankaby combining electric bus technology, genuine local chassis and body manufacturing, battery assembly, technology transfer, skilled workforce development, and export capability. This integrated approach could position Sri Lanka not only to modernise its public transport system, but also to become a competitive manufacturer and exporter of zero-emission buses for regional and international markets.
For more information, visit www.customdenning.lk or www.customdenning.com.au.
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About Custom Denning
Custom Denning is Australia’s oldest bus builder, with more than half a century of manufacturing operations. With electric buses operating on Australian roads, expansion into regional and international markets underway, and an engineering operation in Sri Lanka, the company designs and manufactures zero-emission public transport vehicles.