Voith Electrical Drive System explored in detail
The Voith Electrical Drive System (VEDS) is described by the manufacturer as being a lightweight, energy efficient modular product that offers a cost-effective route to electrification for both coach and bus models, primarily in new vehicles but also via retrofit. It is compatible with both battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell-electric power sources.
VEDS is almost a ‘driveline in a box’, and Voith claims that it is the most efficient product in its class. While Voith has long been best known in the bus sector for its DIWA range of automatic gearboxes, the manufacturer points out that it also has 30 years’ experience in electric drivelines. That puts it in a good position to capitalise on the shift away from diesel.
VEDS is formed principally of a water-cooled permanent magnet motor, an inverter, and control software. It works with various charging methods and battery manufacturers’ products, and Voith says it will suit a host of applications in the passenger sector. Accommodating VEDS in a vehicle designed for an internal combustion engine requires no additional space, the manufacturer adds.
Voith Electrical Drive System claims backed up by vehicle OEMs
Anecdotal evidence from representatives of the two UK-based vehicle OEMs that are thus far using VEDS suggests that it delivers on the efficiency front. That assertion is backed up by the results of formal testing at UTAC Millbrook.
Wrightbus fits VEDS to its zero-emission buses, including a large batch for Northern Ireland operator Translink and 193 on order for First Bus. Alexander Dennis utilises the system in its hydrogen fuel cell-electric Enviro400FCEV double-decker. VEDS is also likely to form a central part of the battery-electric range that Alexander Dennis is developing in-house for delivery from late 2023.
In launching its zero-emission StreetDeck Electroliner and Hydroliner models, Wrightbus was keen to stress how electrification of the platform with VEDS has not compromised the internal arrangement in the lower saloon.
Illustrating the efficiency of VEDS, the StreetDeck Electroliner’s Zero Emission Bus certificate published by Zemo Partnership shows that with 340kW/h of battery storage, its average energy consumption on the UK Bus cycle is just 0.68kW/h per km.
For a vehicle little shy of 13,000kg unladen that is a strong return. How does VEDS deliver such efficiency?
Manufacturer credits much for driveline's efficiency
Voith says that there are various reasons for the performance. It highlights what a spokesperson says is “perfect alignment” between the motor and the inverter along with “unique pulse algorithms, especially for the lowest speeds.” In addition, Voith says that the regenerative capability of VEDS is high and that in some applications, it can recapture over 50% of energy previously expended.
A motor efficiency map provided by Voith shows that at more than half of the unit’s possible operating parameters, it is 96% efficient or better. Importantly for bus use, the motor is at its most efficient – 97% or higher – at loads and motor speeds that are moderate.
For UK use, Voith will deploy VEDS in what it terms medium-duty and heavy-duty variants.
The split point between those is not fixed, but the OEM says that the medium-duty offering will suit double-decker buses – such as in the zero-emission StreetDeck models – along with single-deckers, including lighter weight examples.
This product delivers up to 2,850Nm of torque and a peak power of 260kW.
The heavy-duty iteration of VEDS comes with a modest increase in torque, to 3,100Nm, but a substantial boost in power, which peaks at 410kW. It will suit heavier vehicles and coaches.
The medium-duty set-up is optimised for urban applications and low average speeds, while the heavy-duty product is the opposite, and best suits interurban use and higher speeds. In the latter case, the motor is slightly heavier, tipping the scales at 315kg against 260kg for the medium-duty example.
Coach and retrofit in Voith Electrical Drive System scope
Battery-electric coaches are repeatedly referenced in Voith’s VEDS literature and the spokesperson is clear that they form part of the target market for the system.
For retrofit potential, they add that VEDS is already sold in Europe to repower suppliers including Orten Electric-Trucks and Pepper Motion. Both are based in Germany and are active in the bus market. “In the UK, VEDS could also be offered as a retrofit product,” the spokesperson says.
For charging options, both models of VEDS support inverted pantograph-based opportunity replenishment as an option.
The ‘dual gun’ rapid charging approach that is gaining traction on some vehicles will also be compatible, although that is currently in the development phase by Voith.
The OEM says that except for consumables such as dust seals and breathers, VEDS is designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle.
Visitors to Euro Bus Expo at the NEC Birmingham between 1-3 November who wish to find out more about VEDS will see the system’s electric motor and inverter displayed on Voith’s stand C88. An Enviro400FCEV will be present on Alexander Dennis stand D100.
Comprehensive Yutong display for Euro Bus Expo
Pelican Bus and Coach will have its range of current Yutong coaches and buses on show at Euro Bus Expo, with the Castleford dealership’s Managing Director Richard Crump describing the event as “a celebration” of the industry.
Within the indoor space will be a battery-electric TCe12 coach for Coatham Coaches; a mid-sized, rear-engined TC9 in PSVAR ready format for Mainline Coaches of South Wales; a GT12 tourer for a customer to be confirmed; and an E12 battery-electric bus.
During Euro Bus Expo, the latter vehicle will be formally handed over to Carmarthenshire County Council, where it will be used on the TrawsCymru network.
It is one of eight such buses that are equipped with dual CCS2 DC charging sockets to allow rapid battery replenishment, Lazzerini coach-style seats and the Journeo Edge intelligent gateway for cloud-connected services. Head of Yutong Sales Ian Downie has described the batch as “very high specification vehicles” that have been completed by Pelican Bus and Coach in the UK.
In addition to the vehicles on static display at Euro Bus Expo, Pelican will have a second Yutong TCe12 battery-electric coach available for demonstration to operators in the interactive Zero Emission Zone outside the halls.
Euro Bus Expo will be held between 1-3 November at the NEC Birmingham. Register for free tickets here. Pelican Bus and Coach will be on stand C10.
Meet the brand: Jones Coach and Bus Sales
We catch up with Christina Saunders from Jones Coach and Bus Sales to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand J60
Tell us a bit about your company?
Jones Coach and Bus Sales is the sister company of Llew Jones Limited, a private independent company founded over 50 years ago.
From a small start-up with just three coaches. Llew Jones, with Steve Jones at the helm has grown to be the large, successful company we are today. Operating local buses services, daily school runs and private coach hire, to National Express coaches and coach holidays in the UK and further afield.
It is fair to say with 50 years’ experience, our drivers and engineers have first-hand knowledge of the majority of the coach and bus models on the market.
We understand how important it is to make the right choice when looking for a new or used vehicle and the importance of a timely and efficient aftercare service with minimum downtime. It is why we provide first-class servicing and support and a dedicated parts department stocking an extensive range of new parts to offer you the peace of mind that we will be there should you need us.
Our offices are staffed by experienced professionals who specialise in providing support and advice to businesses of all shapes and sizes. We offer every customer a personal yet professional service and aim to ensure they drive away feeling completely satisfied with their experience.
As a company we started with one ethos and that core principle continues throughout the company today - ‘to treat all our clients as we would hope to be treated’
If you’re one of our long-standing customers, thank you for continuing to work with us, we plan to keep you happy for many more years. For those coach operators and buyers who have yet to experience our service please browse our website or contact us for further help and assistance.
Tell us about your latest product(s), service(s), promotions or launches visitors can hope to see on your stand:
We are delighted to be exhibiting at Euro Bus for the first time and look forward to meeting and showing the visitors the newly designed DAF Turas 900s. Iveco Turas 700s, Mercedes Sprinter Turas 500s and the Rosero Connect Low Floor. Plus, the investments we have made as the Noone approved dealer to offer a first class aftersales by manufactured trained technicians and a dedicated parts department stocking an extensive range of parts.
When Llew Jones, Jones Coach and Bus Sales sister company needed a new multifunctional vehicle to add to their fleet. The Rosero Connect ticked all the boxes. It had to be multifunctional and versatile. Compact to cope with the narrow lanes, psvar certified and with low floor access for the prams and pushchairs, but also luxurious and comfortable to be attractive to the private hire market.
What we found at Noone was not only that the Rosero Connect ticked all our boxes and more, but the Noone Turas Range was setting new standards with their stylish looks and luxurious interiors in the luxury mini and midi coach market.
The Noone Turas Coaches have head-turning looks and a luxurious interior for the private sector, something our guests expect when heading to the races or golf tournaments. The Turas Coaches are also adaptable, reliable, and economical for daily commercial runs. Additionally, visitors will be able to see the new designed Turas 900s that has been redesigned, so there is now no loss of luggage space if you want PSVAR; it really does tick all those boxes.
Why is exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo 2022 an unmissable opportunity for you?
With over 50 years of motor industry experience, the Euro Bus Expo 2022 is Jones Coach and Bus Sales' first opportunity to put us on the road map and tell everyone who we are and what services we offer. The investments we have made to ensure that we can not only offer the Noone Turas luxury range of coaches but also provide a first-class after-sales service and a fully stocked parts department.
Our services include new and used vehicle sales, service engineers, parts department, psvar conversions, part exchange and valuations.
Our dedication to customer service, honesty and transparency has helped us become the company we are today, providing support to businesses of all shapes and sizes. We look forward to continuing that same standard of service as the Noone-approved dealer.
Plus, our access to our sister company Llew Jones network of coaches and buses travelling across the country daily means we can endeavour to get the parts to our clients very quickly.
We look forward to meeting with our long-standing and new customers and spreading the word about all the services that Jones Coach and Bus Sales offer and discussing the Turas range.