Electric bus travels over 2,700 kilometers
Electromobility is picking up speed internationally. Year after year, more fully electric vehicles are allowed on the roads, in addition to climate change, bans on internal combustion engines from 2030 are one reason. But especially when it comes to long-distance, many potential buyers are gripped by uncertainty. Can I get from Munich to the Baltic Sea coast with my vehicle without any problems?
Tour operators who bring their customers from A to B by bus also ask themselves this question. That’s why ABC Companies, a North American coach seller, started an ambitious project some time ago and has now successfully completed it. It was about the journey from Newark in California to Seattle in Washington and back. A 1,330-kilometer (one-way) route along the West Coast of the United States.
The question was whether there were enough charging points and intermediate stops on the route to bridge the outward and return journey completely electrically. The Van Hool coach can transport 56 passengers and has been available in an electric version since December 2020. ABC Companies has been delivering the model to interested customers since early 2021.
It is therefore not surprising that ABC Companies can also claim the promotion as an advertisement. The coach is equipped with lithium-titanium-oxide cells and has a capacity of 676 kilowatt hours. One charge can cover 450 to 480 kilometers, which was more than enough for the entire journey, as the experiment turned out.
At the same time, the loading times turned out to be less of a problem. The vehicle was recharged to 100 percent after around 2.5 to 3 hours, one reason being that the battery never discharged more than 65 percent. So while the bus regained its strength, the passengers were able to stretch their legs and grab a meal.
The CEO of ABC Companies, Roman Cornell, sees much more potential in the technology. Even greater ranges should be possible as soon as the drivers have gotten used to the vehicles. Intelligent braking and starting maneuvers allow you to get more kilometers out of the battery and minimize breaks in this way. All in all, the experiment shows that there is already a lot in today’s battery technology.
Via Electrek
