Hybricon Bus Systems Uses the Opbrid Bůsbaar to Demonstrate Ultra Fast Charging at 625 Amps
Umeå, Sweden (PRWEB) April 13, 2014 -- During recent tests of Hybricon Bus Systems' new Arctic Whisper® (HAW) urban bus, the Opbrid Bůsbaar® acheived Ultrafast Charging® at 625 amps for 6 minutes. This paves the way for charging at 500 – 1000 kW or more to achieve 2-3 minute charges at the end stations of longer bus routes. It also allows all-electric heating and 5 – 6 minute charging for the upcoming 18 m 4WD Arctic Whisper articulated bus. In the future, this technology may enable other applications such as medium distance electric buses or even long distance buses and trucks.
While fast charging of urban buses has already been shown to be a valuable way to achieve “infinite electric range” in bus systems by Hybricon, Proterra, Volvo, and others, bus operators want ever shorter charging times. If charging times can be reduced to just 2-3 minutes, then the operators do not have to add additional buses to a route. Adding an additional bus to a route is an expense that operators want to avoid.
Jonas Hansson, CEO Hybricon Bus System says: “The local bus operator only has a few minutes to charge at the ends of the route, so we developed this bus to satisfy this demand. We live close to the Arctic Circle and keeping passengers warm is also a top priority. Ultrafast Charging® lets us heat with clean electricity instead of a diesel fuel burning heater."
The tests recently completed consisted of charging the batteries of the Arctic Whisper at 625 Amps for 6 minutes. The attached infrared photo shows a temperature increase of only 9.8 degrees at the critical junction between the pantograph and the overhead charging rail of the Opbrid Bůsbaar. The Opbrid Bůsbaar uses technology borrowed from the European electric rail industry which makes these results possible.
Roger Bedell, CEO of Opbrid comments: “These tests validate our approach, which uses electric rail components such as Schunk pantographs and Furrer+Frey Conductor Rail. Besides transferring very high power, our Bůsbaar charging system is cost effective, safe and durable."
The Hybricon Arctic Whisper uses special batteries specifically designed for high charging rates and cold temperatures. The battery packs themselves are relatively small. In contrast, buses that require overnight charging must carry vastly larger batteries. This gives the HAW more passenger capacity, more room inside the bus, and reduces weight and wear on roads.
Just a few chargers located at strategic points in Umeå can charge all of the Hybricon electric buses throughout the day. One hundred percent electric heating can also be used because there is plenty of energy available. The Umeå bus routes are relatively long and Ultrafast Charging provides sufficient power for continuous driving and heating on longer routes in this challenging climate.
Fortunately, the electricity in Umeå comes from renewable sources, primarily wind and hydroelectric dams. Converting the buses in Umeå from diesel to electricity using Ultrafast Charging saves both money and protects the environment. Hybricon Bus Systems will also be producing 4WD 18 meter electric buses for Umeå city starting this year.
About Hybricon Bus Systems
HAW is the brand of the electric city buses developed and made by Hybricon Bus Systems in Umeå, Sweden. The HAW buses are modularly built and can be equipped with different battery types and pack sizes for different charging solutions. They can also be equipped with a range extender to widen the use of the buses, especially in the startup phase of electric bus fleets. However our main focus is on Ultrafast Charging® of a smaller battery pack for 24/7 electrical running in city traffic.
For more information see: http://www.hybricon.se or phone +46 90 77 0900.
About Opbrid
Opbrid Bůsbaar® is a brand of Opbrid S.L., that is focused on providing ultra high power stations to enable the emerging fast charged bus industry in Europe and worldwide. We believe that the ultra high power plug-in concept will revolutionize the urban bus, changing it from a loud, polluting, CO2 emitting vehicle into clean, quiet, sustainable transportation. For more information on the Opbrid Bůsbaar and fast charged plug-in buses in general, visit http://www.opbrid.com or phone +46 722 603 542.
Roger Bedell, Opbrid SL, http://www.opbrid.com, +46 (0) 72 260 3542, [email protected]
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