What is the problem/issue being addressed?
The main focus of the project is the deployment of a conductive fast charging system for electric buses. The resulting product as developed and demonstrated by Heliox allows so-called Opportunity Charging, which means ultra-fast charging during the available time (within 2-7 minutes) at the natural turn-around location of the bus route. This innovative technology offers a breakthrough regarding the achievement of zero emission public transport and provides a competitive edge to the European bus manufacturing industry.
On account of the application of a fully automated contacting, the battery fast charging system from Heliox enables multiple “opportunity charges” at the bus pauses, therefore the capacity of the onboard battery pack of the bus can be substantially reduced. As a result, a significant increase of passenger capacity up to the regular level and cost reduction up to 60% on the battery pack is achieved, thus saving cost, weight and volume on the electric bus.
Opportunity Charging allows electric buses to run 24/7 without the need for a schedule change, avoiding a 5-6 hour overnight slow charge or depot charge. The impact of charging on the bus timetable is reduced to a minimum, and the electric bus daily operation can be optimized on every aspect.
Why is it important for society?
Cities suffer most from congestion, poor air quality and noise exposure. Urban transport is responsible for about a quarter of CO2 emissions from transport. The gradual phasing out of ‘conventionally fueled’ vehicles from the urban environment is a major contribution to significant reduction of oil dependence, greenhouse gas emissions and local air and noise pollution.
The development of conductive fast charging system for electric buses is important to society as it offers a solution for the pollution of traditional combustion engine. Diesel fueled buses are accountable for a large part of the emissions in cities, replacing them by electric buses will bring the emissions truly to zero, next to that gaining substantially in environmental noise. When charged with electricity harvested from renewable source, a true zero emission from “well to wheel” can be achieved.
Furthermore, the concept of conductive fast charge will help the European Dutch manufacturers to retain their competitive edge in the global market of bus manufacturing. As the major footprint of battery-cell manufacturers is firmly located in Asia, this implies a serious disadvantage for European bus manufacturers when competing with Asian bus manufactures, often implementing oversized batteries to achieve an acceptable driving range. The envisaged Conductive Charging System is will enable European Bus Manufacturers to counteract this, whilst at the same time building a lighter bus with more passenger capacity.
What are the overall objectives?
The overall goal of the project is to successfully launch a conductive ultra-fast charge system for buses. For that as well the fast charging system as the automated coupler system have been developed with performance beyond state of the art in energy efficiency, ease of installation and operation, high availability (up-time) and long lifetime. The industrialization of the overall system is guaranteed via an integrated approach in the development process and factory and certification involvement. The road to the market was prepared in an early phase by multiple and close market contacts and alignment. The system as proposed, tested and certified by Heliox facilitates opportunity charging, which extends the range of an (H)EV significantly.
The innovative Heliox Conductive Fast Charging System for E-buses was brought to the market in 2018, with pilot demonstrators installed in the Netherlands, and broad roll out internationally. The successful operation of the demonstrators confirms the feasibility of the product.
