Hungarian Credobus presents lightweight electric bus

There are new electric buses from Hungary that will be particularly lightweight. Local manufacturer Credobus has started production of its first BEV model - and promises a range of 300 kilometres with a battery capacity that is a quarter smaller than that of other manufacturers.

Credobus plans to launch its new battery-electric model called Electronell as a 12-metre solo bus and an 18-metre articulated bus. The solo model will launch in the first half of 2024, with the articulated vehicle following in the second half of the year. In addition to Hungary, the bus will also launch in Central and Eastern European countries. The Electronell series is based on the manufacturer’s Econell Next series, which runs on a conventional combustion engine. It is known for its lightweight construction.

Specifically, the electric bus will be below an unladen weight of 11.5 tonnes thanks to an optimised metal frame structure and “heavy-duty 19.5-inch axles.” The manufacturer states that its solo bus is 1.5 tonnes lighter and its articulated bus three tonnes lighter than competitor products, “so that they have to be equipped with around 25 per cent less battery capacity for the same range.”

Credobus is installing three instead of four battery blocks with a total capacity of 294 kWh in the Solobus. Two of these are housed in the underbody of the bus; the manufacturer does not provide any information on the position of the third pack. “The rationalised battery capacity will reduce both the purchase price and energy consumption as well as the cost of battery replacement,” reads an accompanying press release.

The Electronell’s electric drive comes from Voith and consists of an electric motor with 310 kW continuous and 410 kW peak power (as well as 3,100 Nm torque), drive inverter and control electronics in both model variants. BorgWarner supplies the batteries mentioned above. These are liquid-cooled Akasol packs with NMC chemistry, each with a capacity of 98 kWh and 560 kilograms. The 295 kWh total battery of the solo bus will be sufficient for a range of 300 kilometres and, according to the Hungarians, can be fully charged in two hours with 150 kW DC.

Other components also come from well-known suppliers, such as the heat pump air conditioning system from Eberspächer, the electro-hydraulic power steering pump from Dana and the electrically driven compressor from Knorr-Bremse. The battery-electric bus is built in Mosonmagyaróvár and Győr. The chassis and metal parts are manufactured in the former plant, while the assembly takes place in the latter.

sustainable-bus.com, credobus.hu, credobus.hu (both in Hungarian)