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Solaris promotes zero-emission transport at InnoTrans 2018

Posted: 20 September 2018 | | No comments yet

Solaris has delivered nearly 200 buses with an electric drive so far and another 130 are being assembled, with nearly 2,000 electric bus studies completed.

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A press conference during InnoTrans was stage to the Solaris premiere of a new Trollino 12 trolleybus and the electric Urbino 12 with the latest solutions in e-mobility. Both vehicles are exhibited in the event’s Sommergarten Bus Display.

At the trade fair the Polish producer is showing zero-emission vehicles that draw from the experience of over 8 million kilometres. The latest technological solutions regarding heating, cooling and the steering system focus on reducing energy consumption.

Most of the effort devoted to developing a heating system in electric buses is related to the desire to reduce energy use and ensure the range extension of the vehicle. In order to achieve this, producers often go for a diesel-fuelled heater rather than other solutions, which unfortunately is far from emission free.

Solaris has proposed an innovative solution in the form of a hybrid heating system fuelled with LPG. This solution guarantees low emissions and is much cheaper than the use of a standard diesel heater. What is more, LPG tanks are smaller than those for the previously applied CNG, which means their installation is less complicated.

Changes have also been applied to the power steering system. For quite some time, the electric power steering pump, powered with standard 24V batteries has been used; resulting in the reduction of energy use and increasing the vehicle range. This solution entails a significant improvement of security, since the electric power steering pump is not dependent on other devices.

Another novelty being presented is the remote diagnostic system for electric buses called eSConnect. It enhances and supports diagnostic and maintenance possibilities and facilitates the analysis of specialist data derived from a vehicle. The system will also enable Solaris to further refine its vehicle designs, which have already garnered the firm the title of city bus of the year 2017.

At the request of the interested party, and in order to help them prepare for the electrification of bus lines, Solaris can draft an individual feasibility study. The Office of Research and Development of the Polish manufacturer will devise the optimal solution in terms of e-mobility, based on customer requirements and a range of input data.

The outcome of the feasibility study will be a report listing recommendations of the best technical solutions with regard to electric buses. By sharing best practices and its know-how Solaris supports municipal transport operators in their efforts to develop electromobility.

The drive unit of the Solaris Urbino 12 electric presented at InnoTrans is an electric drive axle with two 125kW integrated electric engines. The energy needed to propel those is stored in Solaris High Energy batteries with a total capacity of 240kWh. The vehicle is recharged by means of a 40kW charger.

The Solaris Urbino 12 electric vehicles are being fitted with an efficient air conditioning system regulating the temperature of the whole vehicle, as well as energy-saving LED lighting in the interior and a comprehensive passenger information system comprising three LCD screens. The producer has also installed USB ports which will enable passengers to recharge their devices mid-ride.

The electric bus of Solaris to be used in Frankfurt will be able to carry up to 70 passengers at a time, 28 of whom travel seated. Two additional folding seats have been installed in the space reserved for passengers with reduced mobility, prams or pushchairs.