A new electric bus powered by Norfolk-based Equipmake is to begin in-service trials on the streets of Buenos Aires following successful tests.
Working with Argentine-Brazilian bus manufacturer Agrale and Argentine coachbuilder Todo Bus, Equipmake has developed an electric version of the single-deck Agrale MT17.0 LE, installing its own Zero Emission Drivetrain (ZED).
It is a 12m model capable of carrying 70 passengers and will be operated for the next 12 months by DOTA S.A., the largest bus operator in Buenos Aires.
The bespoke Equipmake ZED features a 318kWh lithium-ion battery, an electric motor, producing 3,500Nm of torque at 1,000rpm and a maximum power of 400kW.
Equipmake estimates it will have a range of up to 150 miles, more than enough for a day’s use in Buenos Aires.
When the battery is depleted at the end of a complete duty cycle, it can be recharged in the depot overnight via a CSS2 DC charging point.
Following the successful completion of the test, the objective is for mass manufacturing to begin in Buenos Aires with Agrale and Todo Bus, using the licensed Equipmake ZED technology.
The drivetrain has been developed as part of the Advanced Propulsion Centre-funded Cost Effective Low Entry Bus (CELEB) project, with the objective being to deliver a cost-effective bus designed for the South American market.
Ian Foley, CEO of Equipmake, said, “Through this Advanced Propulsion Centre-funded project, we have worked closely with Agrale along with other key partners, and the result is a state-of-the-art yet cost-effective bus.
“Its potential is huge. Buenos Aires has around 16,000 buses alone and electric buses can play a key role in helping the city hit its targets of halving carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050.”
