Automotive electrification company, Equipmake, has revealed a new low-floor chassis for its electric bus platform, designed to make zero-emission double decker buses more cost-effective and efficient. The low-floor chassis follows on from the company’s existing low-entry EBus powertrain for single-decker buses, which has been in testing for the last 12 months and enters in-service trials next year with Brazilian commercial vehicle manufacturer, Agrale. Equipmake will begin double-decker chassis trials later this year.
The EBus drivetrains feature two APM200 spoke-architecture electric motors, bred from F1 technology. Each motor produces 220kW and 450Nm of torque and is mated to a two-speed gearbox, while Semikron SKAI inverters and lithium-ion battery cells complete the fully integrated platform. According to Equipmake, the heating and cooling of the vehicle is optimised, with overall energy efficiency maximised, giving the bus sufficient range for one day’s running without charging. This efficiency also means a smaller battery pack can be used.
Ian Foley, managing director of Equipmake, said that the EBus platform, “is a cost-effective, highly efficient and completely integrated chassis that allows any coachbuilder to become an electric bus manufacturer – regardless of how much EV knowledge they have.”
