Video Review: Decent Handling in a Toyota Prius? Yes, the New One
The fuel economy of the new fourth-generation Prius is better than the departing model, and a new multilink rear suspension upgrades the ride quality.
Elon Musk of Tesla Sticks to Mission Despite Setbacks
The billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk is running a private rocket company, doubling down on alternative fuels and pressing on with Tesla after a series of accidents.
World’s Largest Ultra-fast EV Charging Station Goes Live
EV charging complex has 25x chargers at 360kW and 5x chargers at 90kW; maintaining a capacity for Ultra-fast charging 30 urban transit buses at the same time
Equipped with Microvast's ultra-fast charging battery, a Foton electric bus stops by a charging point after a few loops of operation. Trained staff plug in the charger and within 10-15 minutes the electric bus's battery is refilled to maximum operating capacity and ready to go again. This now happens everyday in many bus terminals across metropolitan Beijing with the deployment of this cutting edge charging technology. Among all the ultra-fast charging stations, the newly opened charging station in Xiaoying Public Transit Bus Terminal is the largest.
Located in Chaoyang district, Beijing, built by China State Grid, this new charging complex covers an area of 26,500 m2 with its structures covering 1,575m2. Designed to satisfy the growing charging demand especially from the increase of ultra-fast charging electric buses departing from this terminal, this complex provides the infrastructure to charge 30 buses at the same time.
Originally a natural gas hybrid bus fleet, Beijing transit route 13 with Foton buses, like ten plus other major city bus routes departed from Xiaoying Terminal, now completely converted to ultra-fast charging full electric bus fleet. They join hundreds of other E-buses in Beijing already deployed using the same battery technology from Microvast.
After conversion to ultra-fast charging technology, the Route 13 fleet has improved operating efficiency while reducing Beijing's GHG emissions. Each new bus takes only 10-15 minutes to complete recharging the battery. Charging each bus takes place 2-3 times per day, during driver breaks, with several route loops between each charge.
Compared to earlier battery swapping system adopted by Beijing to experiment on improving Slow-charge Battery E-bus's operating efficiency and reduce down-time, the ultra-fast charging "battery + charger" system needs neither the investment and large storage space footprint for extra batteries, nor high cost complex with automated robotic battery pack swapping infrastructure, bringing obvious advantages to customers and utility companies with more rapid ROI.
With future facility and charging point expansions already planned out for 2016-2020, to accommodate more routes converting to fast charge EV, Xiaoying Terminal Charge station will play a greater role in the development of clean energy public transit system for Beijing in the near future.
Bombardier’s Battery Powered Tram Sets Range Record
Bombardier Transportation has successfully completed a 41.6 km catenary-free test run using a Bombardier-built tram, powered entirely by its PRIMOVE battery in combination with BOMBARDIER MITRAC. The test run was conducted in the German city of Mannheim on the Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr GmbH (RNV) network.
RNV began using SuperCaps energy storage systems in 2009, and has integrated this technology into 30 of their trams. This provided sufficient energy for short CFO distances. However, the latest generation of Bombardier’s PRIMOVE battery system has been specifically developed for use with CFO where greater distances need to be covered.
In addition to application in Germany, the PRIMOVE battery and MITRAC propulsion equipment combination has been in successful revenue service on the Hexi line in Nanjing, China since August 2014. Six trams, built by CRRC Puzhen under Bombardier license, operate without overhead cables on 90 per cent of the lines. The batteries are charged seamlessly during passenger service via the pantograph, statically at tram stops, and dynamically during acceleration. On this demanding route, the CFO propulsion system has proven its suitability for almost any tram line worldwide.
The innovative PRIMOVE battery system builds upon Bombardier’s many years of experience with energy storage systems. The system combines high power capacity and exceptional battery life with high reliability and has been designed to maximize performance using the latest developments in nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) Li-Ion cells. The advanced PRIMOVE thermal conditioning unit maintains the battery’s ideal temperature and enables rapid charging and full braking energy recovery while extending their lifetime to up to ten years.
Volvo Electric Bus Promotion in Gothenburg Sweden [VIDEO]
ElectriCity is a unique collaboration that has resulted in Gothenburg's first modern electric bus route. Volvo is one of the project partners and was also involved in creating the Silent Bus Sessions, a campaign involving some of Sweden's hottest artists performing four songs for unsuspecting passengers on the silent buses on route 55.
The campaign “Silent Bus Sessions” has become a viral success. The videos, where Swedish artists Zara Larsson and Seinabo Sey perform on the new electric bus route in Gothenburg have reached 2.5 million views.
Here's a behind the scenes look at the set of Silent Bus Sessions.
Source: ElectriCity
Proterra Electric Bus Travels 412 km on a Single Charge [VIDEO]
Proterra announced today that their 40-foot Catalyst XR bus drove 258 miles (412 km) on a single charge under test conditions at Michelin's esteemed Laurens Proving Grounds (LPG). The Catalyst's range demonstration marks a significant step toward Proterra's goal of providing a high-performance bus that can serve any typical transit route in the United States.
The Catalyst XR configuration included eight battery packs, with a total energy capacity of 257 kWh. Based on these test results, Proterra predicts its ten pack XR configuration (321 kWh) will achieve 300 miles (480 km) on a single charge. According to available General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) data, typical urban and rural bus routes in the United States run less than 200 miles a day, bringing most routes within reach of Proterra's current technology.
"The purpose-driven Catalyst design affords the best efficiency rating ever for a 40-foot transit bus, at 22 MPG equivalent," said John Sleconich, Chief Engineer at Proterra. "Proterra buses are the only mass transit vehicle built from the ground up as an electric vehicle. With a unique aerodynamic body made from carbon fiber and advanced composite materials, we are able to reduce mass for maximum efficiency."
Beyond meeting a given route's minimum range requirements, Proterra electric vehicles are poised to make a significant impact on the transit market because of the Catalyst's low operational cost per mile compared to diesel, CNG, and diesel-hybrid buses. Over the 12-year life of a bus, Proterra customers will dramatically reduce maintenance costs, saving around $135K. The environmental benefits are also making an impressive impact. Collectively, Proterra customers have logged more than 1.3 million miles of revenue service to date, preventing more than 4.7 million pounds of emissions.
"The U.S. is quickly waking up to the economic, environmental, and performance benefits of zero-emission electric buses," said Proterra CEO, Ryan Popple. "While diesel buses pollute our communities and are increasingly more costly to own and operate, Proterra is pushing the bounds of EV technology and steadily driving down costs. Achieving this range is validation for our technology and gives us the confidence that Proterra is capable of what we initially set out to accomplish - replacing every fossil fuel bus in the United States with a fully electric one. "
ZF Powers First Australian All-Electric Bus
ZF is at the core of a next generation of public transport, with the global drive line technology specialists providing local company Bustech with electric drive axles for Australia's first all-electric city bus.
Long-time partners in diesel powered bus projects, ZF has previously supplied Bustech with products such as transmissions, axles, steering and suspension systems, with the new project paving the way for zero-emissions operation along busy urban roads.
The bus features an AVE130 electric drive axle, which dimensionally fits into the same envelope as a conventional drop centre axle, making the system simple to integrate into existing designs.
In Bustech’s configuration, the AVE130 utilises pure battery power, although the system can be used in serial as a hybrid with a conventional combustion engine, or via alternate power sources such as fuel cells or overhead lines.
With no requirement for a traditional transmission, the electric axle provides smooth acceleration in all driving conditions.
“It’s exciting times for ZF Services in Australia, particularly with Bustech, and the bus industry in general,” said Gary Bain, ZF Services Australia OE Business Manager. “Working closely with Bustech and their design and development partners such as the CSIRO and Swinbourne University, we have the finished vehicle today, the all-electric bus ready for the market place.
“Bustech is a rather unique company; not only do they produce chassis and bodies for buses, but they undertake some of the best market research in the bus industry. “With over 800 vehicle in service under the Transit Australia banner, they have incredible insight into the requirements of public transport passengers.”
Designed for axle loads of up to 13 tonnes, each wheel is fitted with a high-revving (11,000rpm) asynchronous electric motor, which provides maximum drive power of 240kW, while continuous power of 120kW is available per axle. Like many electric engines, the motors have strong torque characteristics, with output peaking at 21,000Nm per axle.
This makes the system ideal for stop-start city traffic, which also takes advantage of the systems power regenerative braking, which tops up batteries while in operation. Because there is no requirement to provide space for a diesel engine, Bustech has been able to employ an interesting new cabin design.
The AVE130 axle uses widely available existing components such as standard wheels and tyres, brake callipers, ventilated brakes discs, as well as wheel bearings and seals, making the units extremely service-friendly. In operation, the axle paves the way for improved torque distribution which in turn reduces tyre wear.
The system also includes sensors for temperature, ABS, and speed.
Operational targets between recharges for Australia are 300km, and 200km in Malaysia, with trials set to commence in September.
Outside of the electric axle, the new design also utilises a conventional RL85A low-floor front axle, and many modern innovations, such as touch screens, LED lighting, as well as all-electric doors and air conditioning.
An example of the forward thinking of the design, the bus utilises rear vision cameras, which provide a wider field of vision, while also streamlining the bus exterior, saving drivers from having to make mirror adjustments.
Previous collaborations between Bustech and ZF Services Australia have included projects such as the Bustech CDI, the world's first low-floor twin steer double decker bus.
The project was developed in part due to Australia’s front axle load regulations, which limit design flexibility, especially for a city bus with a passenger capacity of around 90.
While the steering setup is common in trucks, ZF Services worked closely with Bustech to develop the system to allow for easy access throughout the cabin for passengers, while the 12.5 metre package has considerable operational cost savings over conventional articulated buses.
World’s Fastest Charging Electric Bus Takes 10 seconds to Charge
The world's fastest charging electric busses, that takes just 10 seconds to be fully charged, were put into operation for the first time in Ningbo on Tuesday.
The bus operates a 11-km route with 24 stops in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, local transport authorities said.
In the next three years, a total of 1,200 such buses will be used for public transport in the city, where the electric bus plant is located.
The bus recharges while stationary or while passengers get on or off, and each charge enables the bus to run for least five kilometers, according to Zhou Qinghe, president of Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive, a subsidiary of high-speed train maker CRRC.
In addition, the bus, which rolled off production line in April, consumes 30 to 50 percent less energy than other electric vehicles.
The capacitor can be charged one million times and has a 10-year life cycle.
London’s Iconic Double-Decker Buses to go Electric
One of the world's most recognized transportation systems, TFL (Transportation for London), known for their iconic red, double-decker buses, has contracted for the manufacture of a brand new, battery electric replacement. The company selected to build the next generation London Bus double-deckers is global electric vehicle leader, BYD Company Ltd.
The announcement took place at this week's C40: Clean Bus Summit held at London City Hall. Breaking the news was the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.
"Many believed that a pure electric double-decker bus would not be possible due to the size of the battery packs required to power it," said Mayor Johnson. "However by working with BYD and utilizing the latest cutting edge technology London has been able to secure another world first. The new electric double-decker trial will see the zero emission double-decker buses manufactured by BYD enter service on Route 16 from October."
Also addressing the Clean Bus Summit was BYD's Managing Director of European Operations, Isbrand Ho.
"We are delighted to be chosen by London as its partner for the world debut of our new pure electric double-decker. As the Mayor has said, this is genuinely world beating new technology," said Ho. "Since BYD is by far the world's largest maker of zero emission pure electric buses and as such is keen to promote their take up and use as quickly as possible we are also pleased to have today supported the Declaration and pledged BYD to helping promote zero – not just ultra low – emission vehicles on the streets of the world's major cities."
BYD's Battery Electric bus employs many advanced technologies developed in-house by a staff of more than 15,000 R&D engineers including the BYD Iron-Phosphate Battery which boasts the only 12-year-battery warranty in the industry. Combined with BYD's proprietary hub motors and regenerative braking system, the BYD battery electric bus offers the lowest life cycle cost of ownership.
The BYD electric bus delivers a host of operational and environmental benefits for public transit riders, bus operators and residents of the community – it is very quiet and ensures a comfortable ride without vibrations, jerks or the noise associated with the conventional buses and combustion engines. The bus can also drive for more than 155 miles even in heavy city traffic on a single charge. As of April 1st, 2015, BYD bus fleets have completed greater than 50 million miles "in revenue service" and have been evaluated by more than 150 cities in 36 countries around the world. To date, BYD has built over 5,000 electric buses globally, making it by far the most popular electric transit vehicle on the planet.
Bustech lands $176m deal to build electric buses for Malaysia
Australian bus manufacturer, Bustech has been chosen as the lead design and manufacturing partner for a $170 million electric bus project.
Announcing the project, Bustech CEO Michael McGee said the project would position Bustech as an innovative regional leader in the use of renewable energy for buses.
“The E-Bus project is an international research and development project co-funded by the Malaysian and Australian players and governments, which aims to develop an electric bus for trial operations in Malaysia,” he said.
Bustech, part of Transit Australia Group, has partnered with the Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI) (a Malaysian government body), Swinburne University of Technology and AutoCRC and a private Malaysian company to develop and test the E-Bus project in Malaysia.
Swinburne University is providing the electric bus technology to the project and will work closely with Bustech throughout the trials of the prototype vehicle.
On the Gold Coast to inspect the Bustech facility, Malaysian Automotive Institute CEO M Madani Sahari said if successful, the electric bus could be exported to other countries.
“This partnership is a win-win for both Australia and Malaysia because it develops opportunities that have benefits for both countries,” he said.
Mr Sahari said that Malaysian industry was spending 500 million ringgit ($AUD170 million) on establishing an electric bus public transport system, including infrastructure such as charging stations.
Transit Australia Group is working closely with a Malaysian manufacturer in exploring opportunities to commercialise the technology.
AutoCRC, whose role it is to identify and develop opportunities for the Australian automotive industry, helped broker the deal by bringing the MAI and Bustech together.
AutoCRC research director Gary White said Bustech was well-suited to the project, with high-end capabilities in the manufacturing process.
“Our long-term vision at AutoCRC is to re-build manufacturing in Australia and this project is a perfect illustration, with Bustech’s manufacturing facility capable of delivering high-quality, innovative products,” Dr White said.
The first bus is planned to roll off the production line in July 2015, with trials to begin in September.
