Global technology company ABB is collaborating with New Zealand-based EV technology provider Zemtec to supply a high- power charging solution to support the rollout of electric buses throughout the country.
Zemtec’s E-City electric buses will be powered by ABB’s Terra 184 DC charger at Zemtec’s depot based in Dairy Flat, Auckland.
The bus is made up of quality European and American components and will be locally designed and built by Zemtec to meet New Zealand conditions. The first template of the e-bus is expected to be manufactured by September 2021.
It seats 45 plus the driver and caters for 33 standing. Two Xalt Energy battery configurations are available, 262kWh and 350kWh. The ZF rear drive axle produces 250kW of power and 21,000Nm of torque. The vehicle produces its own 24V supply via roof mounted solar panels.
It’s lighter than a conventional diesel bus of the same size and can carry the same passenger load on two axles as opposed to a diesel’s three.
While a standard diesel bus is 13.5m long, Zemtec’s bus is 12.5m in length and can fit the same amount of people.
“Zemtec is committed to delivering future-proof solutions for tomorrow’s world and is driving change for the next generation of electric vehicles,” Zemtec engineering director Frank Reardon says.
“We are proud to be working with ABB, who share this same perspective by providing leading edge technology that will help achieve a sustainable future.”
Emission-free public transportation, such as electric buses, improves local air quality and reduces noise pollution. However, the project can come with challenges, especially in choosing the right infrastructure to support the operational needs of the fleet.
ABB’s DC fast chargers run on the ABB Ability Connected Services Platform, which employs Microsoft’s Azure cloud services to enhance uptime, scalability, and operational efficiencies, as well as to provide real-time remote support services.
E-buses are forecasted globally to grow to 1.2 million by 2025, equal to about 47% of the worldwide city bus fleet, so reliable DC fast charging stations with robust connectivity to innovative, on-demand charging systems are important.
Also available from ABB are infrastructure solutions such as substations, energy storage systems and eco-friendly switchgear, that meets the needs of the next generation of smarter mobility, providing solutions for charging heavy EVs such as buses and trucks.
“The ABB Terra 184 DC charger has a powerful charge of 180kW and is especially designed to charge larger fleets of electric vehicles in the most optimised way,” ABB electrification sales specialist Debbie van der Schyff says.
“You can charge buses from different brands with the same charger, following the international standards and comprehensive interoperability testing,” she says.
Meanwhile, Zemtec co-director John Bayes is keen to see the E-City buses put into fleets.
“With these electric buses on the road, it will contribute to a cleaner environment and set the standard for heavy transport vehicles to make the switch to electric.”
