Canadian bus builder Letenda has unveiled a new generation of electric buses designed specifically for cold temperatures. The first model to arrive will be a midibus called Electrip, which is designed as a city bus.
The ‘Electrip’ is about nine meters long and, according to Letenda, will offer space for up to 45 passengers, including 24 seats and room for up to six wheelchairs. The manufacturer refers to a “redesigned geometry to provide unparalleled comfort and manoeuvrability.” Thanks to a modular aluminium body, the Electrip is said to be very lightweight, which in turn contributes to its efficiency.
Letenda does not provide details on the e-drive, which is important for winter use, in its announcement. The e-drive including batteries comes from supplier Cummins, which has published its own announcement around Electrip. Specifically, Cummins says three battery packs with a total capacity of 222 kWh will be installed. On the Letenda website, the battery capacity is stated as 222 kWh to 296 – so apparently a fourth battery pack is offered as an option. Battery cells with NMC chemistry are used, which can be charged with up to 150 kW.
In addition to the batteries, the powertrain control, drive motor, power electronics, charge control and connectivity systems also come from Cummins. However, the supplier does not provide details on this. It is announced, however, that the cooperation with Letenda will be expanded, as Letenda intends to offer the e-bus throughout Canada and the United States.
The range of the Electrip in summer or winter is not specified in the two announcements or on Letenda’s product page. There is also no info on the power of the electric drive system. There is supposed to be underfloor heating in the interior. What is supposed to make the Electrip so suitable for winter use, however, is not specified.
Nicolas Letendre, president and CEO of Letenda, targets other features in his statements in the release. “The Electrip is perfectly suited for transportation companies wishing to reduce their environmental impact and optimize their operations while moving towards sustainable mobility,” Letendre says. “Our product is complementary to the existing electric vehicle offer for public transit due to its size and innovative design.”
newswire.ca (Letenda), cummins.com (Cummins), letenda.com (product page)
Keyword: Canadian company presents cold-weather electric bus