Category: EV Bus

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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. "

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Volvo hybrid bus with Siemens fast-charging system starts service in Hamburg

Officially launched at the International IAA Commercial Vehicles show, the Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid buses equipped with a Siemens fast charging systems has taken its maiden tour in Hamburg, where it will be deployed from December on the 109 service.

“Battery technology is becoming increasingly attractive for use in buses. The electric hybrid bus is an important further step for us on the way to procuring 100% electric buses. Hochbahn sees itself as industry's partner in gathering important experience in everyday service,” said Ulrike Riedel, vice president for operation and human resources at public transport operator Hamburger Hochbahn.

The Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid has an electric hybrid powertrain that combines a four-cylinder diesel 240 hp (177 kW) with an electric motor of 150 kW. The latter receives energy from a lithium ion battery of 19 kWh total storage capacity, this allows travel in electric mode a distance of 7 km between charges.

The lithium-ion battery is charged via two charging rails on the roof. Fast charging stations have been set up next to the route with a contact arm fastened to a mast. If the bus is with range of the contact system, the drive operates the parking brake and charging will start automatically. Charging is performed fully automatically and ends as soon as the charging is fully completed. The process also can be cut short by releasing the parking brake.

The fast charging stations in Hamburg are the latest development from Siemens for high-performance charging systems for electric buses. On the buses, it is only necessary to mount contact rails and a WiFi communication box. That saves space, weight, and costs on each bus. Communication between the bus and the charging station is established by WiFi. In this way, the bus is identified and the requirements of the battery management system are transmitted to the charging station. To make contact, the contact arm is lowered onto the charging contacts on the bus. The bus is electrically grounded before current starts to flow. The flow of current between the vehicle and the charging station is controlled continuously and matched to the individual charge state and battery type. The charging operation is completed in no more than six minutes.

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Sydney International Airport Tests the World’s Longest Range Electric Bus

Carbridge Pty Ltd, an Australian airport ground transportation provider, has begun a six-month Electric Bus pilot program at Sydney International Airport. The bus selected for the pilot was made by BYD Company Ltd, which has been recognized over the past few months for its industry leading operational range. The bus will be used as an airport passenger shuttle.

At a launch ceremony held at Sydney International Airport, BYD Asia Pacific General Manager Liu Xueliang said, “Compared with fossil-fueled buses, BYD’s pure electric bus has zero emissions, doesn’t make noise and ensures a comfortable ride without disturbances associated with conventional buses of combustion engines. These characteristics will provide a great experience for visitors to the Airport.” Sydney Airport plans to electrify their entire bus fleet in the coming years.

BYD’s Battery Electric bus employs many advanced technologies developed in-house by a staff of more than 15,000 R&D engineers, such as the advanced environmentally friendly, BYD Iron-Phosphate battery, in-wheel hub motors and regenerative braking system. The break-through Iron-Phosphate battery is fire-safe and non-toxic: there are no caustic materials contained in the battery, no toxic electrolytes or heavy metals and can be completely recycled.

The BYD electric bus delivers a host of operational and environmental benefits for public transport riders, operators and people in the community — it is very quiet and ensures a comfortable ride without vibrations, jerks or noise associated with the conventional buses and combustion engines. The bus can also drive for more than 250 km (155 miles) even in heavy city traffic on a single charge. The bus has completed more than 20 million kilometers of “in revenue service” and has been evaluated in many major cities all over the world.

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Ultra High Power Automatic Charging Station for Trucks Debuts at IAA 2014

The Opbrid Trůkbaar brings automatic fast charging to the world of heavy duty electric trucks for zero emissions. The Trůkbaar is 100% compatible with the standards-based Opbrid Bůsbaar V3 for buses.

While plug-in urban buses like the Volvo Electric Hybrid are natural candidates for fast charging en route, there are also very compelling business cases for fast charged electric trucks in diverse areas such as refuse collection, airport vehicles, ports, and delivery trucks. The Opbrid Trůkbaar is designed to be easily mounted on most trucks due to its compact, lightweight, and simple design. Both the Opbrid Trůkbaar and the new Opbrid Bůsbaar V3 share the same design by Furrer+Frey of Switzerland, with a pantograph which lowers from the curbside station, and an inexpensive transverse 4 contact bar on the roof of the vehicle.

The Opbrid Trůkbaar and Bůsbaar V3 are designed for ultra high power mode 4 DC charging, up to 650kW. This amount of power transfer uses safe and reliable conductive technology transferred from the European electric rail industry by our partner Furrer+Frey, with over 90 years of experience in high power transfer to locomotives. This amount of power transfer enables scenarios such as super short charge stops and 24 hour operation. Since the Opbrid Trůkbaar and Bůsbaar are 100% compatible, cities can leverage their investment in bus chargers by also using them for rubbish collection, delivery vehicles and street cleaners. Vehicles of various heights can charge at the same station due to the large vertical working range of the charging station.

The new design of the Opbrid Trůkbaar and Bůsbaar V3 also liberates designers to create curbside charging stations that blend into existing streetscapes, or that stand out as elegantly sculptured street furniture. This is because the overhead pantograph is compact and hidden underneath a weatherproof cover. This means that the mounting post as well as the weatherproof cover can be almost any shape imaginable, giving designers unlimited freedom.

Of course, safety is our utmost concern, so the Opbrid Trůkbaar and Bůsbaar V3 have been designed to conform to IEC and ISO standards for high power DC charging, with 4 contacts, correct contact sequence, and built-in verification of contact surface before charging. The parking tolerance is quite broad and reliable due to our years of experience making bus fast charging stations. An optional insulating cover for the on-vehicle part is available to add an additional layer of safety. The station retracts upward to over 4.5 meters when not charging to fulfill traffic regulations.

The Opbrid Trůkbaar and Bůsbaar V3 will be on display at the IAA 2014 in Hall 13, Stand F12.

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London’s hybrid buses to wirelessly recharge at stops

Hybrid London buses that use batteries and a motor will now start recharging at stops, wirelessly. The inductive charge should mean the engine won't need to be used as much, or at all.

The inductive charging, built into the bus stops, will be trialled by TfL in four stops in east London from next year. The special Enviro400H E400 hybrid buses, with wireless charging capabilities, will run on route 69 between Canning Town and Walthamstow.

By keeping the batteries topped up the buses should be able to run longer in battery mode meaning lower running costs and less environmental damage. The journey should offer less vibrations and noise while travelling too. The trial should help enhance the electric bus offerings in London.

There are currently six pure electric buses being tested in London also. The Mayor of London wants the city to be the world's first Ultra Low Emission Zone by 2020. There are currently 800 hybrid buses operating in London with 1,700 expected in 2016 – making up 20 per cent of the total bus fleet.

Mike Weston, TfL’s Director of Buses, said: "We are continuing our assessment of new technology in the capital that can deliver genuine environmental benefits. This trial of extended range diesel electric hybrid buses, utilising the latest inductive charging technology, could be a step closer to getting even cleaner double deck buses on London’s streets. We will be closely monitoring the results of the trials, which may help us adopt this new cleaner technology more widely in London."

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BYD Electric Bus Goes 1,200 km in 24 hours

The Antelope Valley Transit Authority’s (AVTA) new electric BYD bus is performing better than advertised! AVTA and BYD operators put the electric bus to the test this weekend during a 24-hour marathon ride that looped from Rosamond to Palmdale a total of 18 times.

The BYD bus managed to travel an astounding 746 miles (1,193 kms) over the 24-hour period, operating in three shifts. Each shift logged between 240 and 256 miles before recharging the battery. “This is tremendous news and it proves the BYD electric bus can be a transit work horse like its diesel counterpart,” stated Board Chair Norm Hickling. “We are looking forward to putting our electric buses into service on local transit routes to further evaluate their true performance under all weather and road conditions.”

This weekend’s 24-hour marathon began on Saturday at 1:04 in the afternoon starting from the BYD factory in Lancaster. AVTA’s electric bus was loaded with 5,250 lbs. of sand bags to simulate the weight of 35 passengers. The bus traveled a total of 240 miles before its first battery charge, which is nearly 100 miles more than BYD advertises and 30 miles more than is needed to service an average transit route in the Antelope Valley. The air conditioning system ran during most of the test except during the early morning hours when it was cold outside.

This is the second test for AVTA’s electric bus. Its first unofficial test was July 29 when it traveled to Los Angeles to pick up the consul general of the Chinese Consulate who was scheduled to tour the BYD manufacturing facility in Lancaster. AVTA offered to pick up the Chinese delegation using its new BYD bus in order to test the zero emission vehicle’s performance on the 14 freeway. After circulating downtown, the electric bus easily climbed the 14 Freeway grade which has an elevation change of nearly 4,000 feet. The 92-mile trip ended in Lancaster, CA with 64% of the bus’ battery life still remaining.

“We are ecstatic to see our electric bus performing so well. Our 12-month demonstration project is now off the ground and we could not be more pleased at the early results,” stated Executive Director Julie Austin. “We are also hopeful our plans to install wireless charging stations at AVTA’s two main transfer centers will extend the battery life of our electric buses even more than BYD technology can guarantee.”