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.
ShuttleID takes ticketing platform into commuter services
School bus pass and ticketing platform ShuttleID has grown its reach to capture commuter services. The launch is accompanied by an offer of short-term, one-month contracts that the supplier says “will help operators to confirm service viability and get new routes off the ground.”
ShuttleID believes that introduction of such transport provision is increasingly attractive to businesses that are mindful of staff recruitment and retention.
A move into commuter services follows what ShuttleID adds has been strong year-on-year growth exclusively on home-to-school and home-to-college routes since 2019. Its system now powers over six million annual trips. The expansion also follows feedback from operator partners, says ShuttleID Director Chris Bell.
“Recruitment is a challenge for many businesses currently and workplaces are having to look even further afield for candidates. With the risk of cuts to local bus services and the ongoing cost of living crisis, businesses may find that running their own private bus service can help to attract and retain staff.
“In this current economic climate, businesses will be savvy, but they will not compromise on value. Our technology allows operators to add that while keeping them in full control.”
AT Brown Coaches of Telford is one of the first operators to use the ShuttleID for its commuter services. Director Gareth Davies believes that demand for such technology-based services will continue to grow.
“We have worked with Chris for a couple of years and have good experience of the ShuttleID system in an educational setting. As a business, we have had home-to-work contracts for many years. Chris has listened to the specification of what is required by us as an operator, and our corporate client’s objectives too,” adds Mr Davies.
“This has provided a robust system for this setting. ShuttleID has helped us to secure new business and cemented our existing clients.”
Shuttle ID will be exhibiting its system at Euro Bus Expo.
Euro Bus Expo will be held between 1-3 November at the NEC Birmingham. Register for free tickets here. ShuttleID will be on stand A48.
Pelican Bus and Coach continues investment in Yutong
Pelican Bus and Coach has signed a new long-term agreement with Yutong capturing much of the remainder of the decade and it expects to supply around 250 vehicles from the manufacturer in 2023. That is further indication of the success of both brands in the UK passenger market.
News of the extended collaboration was revealed alongside details of other developments around Pelican’s sales and support provision for Yutong and planned updates to the vehicle range. January 2023 will see the opening of a new showroom and service centre that will be dedicated to Yutong. Staff numbers on the support side have been beefed up and the sales team has grown.
Meanwhile, a national Yutong parts distribution centre scheduled to open in October holds £2.8m worth of components and ultimately can accommodate £7.5m worth. It will also be the national hub for Pelican’s battery-electric chargers, stocking those rated at 20, 42 and 120kW, and house the growing team dedicated to supporting the Yutong range.
Additionally in place are nationwide service dealers and a growing number of regional service engineers. The scale of this investment has been made possible by the renewed long-term agreement with the Chinese manufacturer, says Pelican Managing Director Richard Crump.
All that complements range expansion. On the battery-electric bus front, the 8.9m E9 arrives in early 2023, and it will be followed by a 10.9m double-decker promising 385kW/h of energy storage. A first UK specification double-decker has been built in China and is undergoing testing. Once durability validation is complete, a demonstrator will be constructed and shipped to Pelican.
Head of Yutong Sales Ian Downie says that Pelican will be able to deliver the double-decker in 2023. It uses the established driveline from the E10 and E12 single-deckers, will carry a maximum of 80 passengers and builds on Yutong’s existing work with double-deckers in China and Singapore.
New coach demand mirroring electric bus, says Pelican
On the coach side, things are also developing. Simon Collins was promoted by Pelican to Sales Manager for Coaches earlier in 2022.
He reports that demand for new vehicles is “very strong” and that Pelican this year will see numbers close to those from 2019. That is partially caused by lower volumes during the intervening period and a resulting paucity of late used stock.
The breakdown of enquiries and sales is evolving. Since publication of the medium-term exemption approach to PSVAR, demand for compliant new coaches has slowed, Simon explains. The approach is now often to specify ‘PSVAR ready’. That entails fitment of an additional door and in most cases, destination displays, but no lift. It can be added later.
Equally significant is the growing traction for zero-emission coaches since late 2021. Simon explains that now, at least 30% of coach enquiries are for the battery-electric TCe12. The portable 42kW charger offered by Pelican that runs from a three-phase supply has opened more scope for the TCe12, he continues. That model recently received some modest styling tweaks.
On the diesel front, the TC9 midi has gained upgraded passenger and driver seats and an extension to the upholstery variants available ex-factory. The flagship GT12 tourer also has improved seats all round and it too has seen some modest styling changes. All GT12s arrive from China with a door to suit PSVAR in place.
Battery-electric technology continues to advance
A less well-known part of Pelican’s battery-electric range captures airside buses. It has introduced a new variant, the ABe14, and one has already been delivered to Newcastle International Airport, where it joins an earlier model. The ABe14 is 14m long on two axles and carries 110 passengers.
The ABe14 and TCe12 come with the Yutong Electrical Safety Standard (YESS), as do the E10 and E12 and as will the battery-electric double-decker.
In conjunction with lithium iron phosphate chemistry, Yutong believes that YESS offers great protection to the batteries.
YESS includes structural, thermal and parts protection and a constant nitrogen ‘blanket’ to mitigate any fire risk.
In addition to YESS, 24/7 monitoring of batteries has been introduced. Data is transmitted to Yutong in China and any abnormality can be flagged to the operator immediately. Work to prolong range in colder months has also been undertaken, with a fix installed to prevent the demister from being left running when vehicles are idle. Ian is thus confident that energy use will be lower this winter than the last.
Customer support at heart for Pelican Bus and Coach
A lot of positivity is coming from Pelican around its work in coach and bus. Richard is clear that a safety net through the pandemic period came via the dealership’s longstanding work with HGVs, but he says Pelican is particularly proud of the support it offers to customers. “We believe that it is as good as anywhere else, and in some cases, better,” he says.
Further bulk deliveries of battery-electric buses are in hand, including to First Bus, McGill’s Buses and Stagecoach in Scotland and Newport Transport, while two batches have arrived for the TrawsCymru network in Wales. All will be fitted out here; around 30% of the value of a Yutong battery-electric bus stays in the UK under that arrangement.
When a growing range and customer base is combined with major investment in support and a long-term deal with Yutong, the future for Pelican Bus and Coach looks stronger than ever. The full range of its vehicles will be on show at Euro Bus Expo at the NEC Birmingham between 1-3 November.