Scania expands its electric bus platform with new electric drive
The Traton subsidiary presented its electric bus platform at Busworld in October 2023. It offers electric buses with battery variants in 416 and 520 kWh, which, according to the manufacturer, should enable ranges of more than 400 and 500 kilometres, respectively, under optimum conditions. Scania is now expanding the range for this electric bus platform: with the introduction of a new, extended and more efficient e-machine, Scania aims to offer “an impressive combination of increased performance and efficiency, flexibility and zero emissions.”
Scania’s new electric drive system, called the ‘e-machine,’ is fully harmonised with the company’s battery-electric bus platform. Four power options are currently available: 240 kW, 270 kW, 300 kW and 330 kW. In addition, there is a choice of a two- or four-speed gearbox, which is designed to improve the energy efficiency of the bus as well as its starting behaviour and acceleration, so that it can start up smoothly and efficiently even in difficult conditions such as on inclines or in heavy-duty operation.
The new e-machine also has several power supply options that are suitable for different purposes and conditions and offer more flexibility than the previous single power supply option. Scania is introducing an option with three batteries and 312 kWh of installed energy, as well as a second charging port at the rear of the buses. This rear charging port is available for a higher charging power of 325 kW with up to 500 A, while the current charging position at the front only offers 130 kW with up to 200 A charging power. This higher charging power at the rear significantly shortens the charging time and thus increases the availability of the electric bus for operation.
“We know that bus operators face the push-pull effect of responding to emission regulations while striving to meet the specific demands of electric operations. Power needs, flexibility, charging time, energy efficiency and operational range are some of the key factors,” says Anna Ställberg, Head of Urban Solutions for People Transport Solutions at the Scania Group. “The new e-machine, battery and charging options have been developed and are being introduced with our customers’ challenges in mind, and respond to both their and our sustainability goals.”
The new e-machine complies with the new cyber security legislation. However, it is not just a motor or generator, but a compact drive unit consisting of an electric motor, inverter, gearbox and oil system. The motor converts the electrical energy stored in the battery into mechanical energy and thus generates torque, while the inverter converts the DC voltage from the battery into a three-phase AC current. This converted energy is then fed into the electric machine, which is able to effectively control and adjust both speed and torque. There is also a single oil system with two oil pumps that cool the electric motor and lubricate the transmission.
Last year, Scania had already expanded its range of electric trucks. The EM C1-2 electric drive system, for example, was new at that time in two versions, each with 210 or 240 kW.
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