All-electric city bus unveiled

Australia's first all-electric city bus will commence trials next month, with the innovative vehicle a result of a collaboration between local specialist Bustech, driveline expert ZF, and technology partners such as the CSIRO and Melbourne's Swinbourne University.

The bus utilities ZF's AVE130 electric-drive axle, which dimensionally fits into the same envelope as a conventional drop-centre axle, making the system simple to integrate into existing designs.

While this Bustech design purely utilises battery power, it could also be configured as a hybrid with conventional combustion engine, or for alternative power sources such as fuel cells or overhead lines.

ZF Services Australia OE Business Manager, Gary Bain, said ZF was thrilled to be a part of the project.

"It's exciting times for ZF Services in Australia, particularly with Bustech, and the bus industry in general," he said.

"Working closely with Bustech and their design and development partners such as the CSIRO and Swinbourne University, we have the finished vehicle today, the all-electric bus ready for the market place.

In addition to producing bus chassis and bodies, Bustech also undertakes detailed market research in the bus industry, and has 800 vehicles in service under the Transit Australia banner.

This all-electric bus can handle axle loads of up to 13 tonnes. Each wheel is fitted with a high-revving (11,000rpm) asynchronous electric motor, which provides maximum drive power of 240kW, with continuous power of 120kW available per axle.

Due to the electric motors torque peaks at an impressive 21,000Nm per axle, making it ideal for stop-start city traffic, while a regenerative braking system boost battery charge while in operation.

The absence of a traditional rear diesel engine has also allowed Bustech to produce an avant-garde cabin design, with rear horseshoe seating.

The AVE130 axle uses widely available existing components such as standard wheels and tyres, brake calipers, ventilated brake discs, wheel bearings and seals, making the units extremely service-friendly.

Operational targets between recharges for 300km for Australia and 200km for Malaysia, with trials set to commence in September.

Outside of its electric axle, the new design also utilises a conventional low-floor front axle and innovations including touch screens, LED lighting, and all-electric doors and air conditioning.

Rear vision cameras, meanwhile, provide the driver with a wider field of vision and streamline the vehicle's exterior.