Electric powertrain experts Equipmake and Spanish bus builder Beulas introduced the Jewel E, a cutting-edge EV bus.
With battery options of up to 543kWh, it boasts the largest battery of any single axle double decker electric bus and the longest range too, with a maximum of 400 km on a single charge.
Set to be manufactured in 2022 at an all-new facility in Norfolk, the Jewel E will not only bring new jobs to the area but play a key role in helping UK Government achieve its target of introducing at least 4,000 more British-built zero emission buses into the UK market by 2024.
Under the skin lies Equipmake’s advanced propulsion technology – Zero Emission Drivetrain (ZED) – which is modular and scale-able, capable of supporting different bus sizes.
ZED is already being used in single decker form on the streets of Buenos Aires, Argentina as part of an Equipmake partnership with Agrale.
Integrated into the Jewel E chassis ZED is the company’s HTM 3500 motor producing 3,500 Nm of torque at just 1,000rpm and offering maximum power of 536 hp.
It is driven by a Semikron SKAI inverter with energy stored in a variety of customer-specified lithium-ion battery pack options of up to 543kWh, the largest battery of any single axle double decker electric bus in the world.
Jewel E efficiency is made possible by one of the most efficient thermal management systems on the market, which keeps the motor, inverter and battery at optimum operating temperature, featuring a water-glycol cooling circuit augmented by the capture of thermal energy to heat the interior in cold conditions.
When the battery is depleted it can be simply recharged at the depot overnight using a CSS DC charging point.
Specifically developed for demanding daily usage cycles, Jewel E is the first EV bus to meet the latest Transport for London (TfL) bus safety standard specifications and requirements for 2024, including enhanced safety features to give the public, drivers and passengers piece of mind.
It is suitable for operation in both London and the surrounding UK provinces.
Equipmake has worked with Spanish coachbuilder Beulas, which has manufactured the Jewel E double decker body.
Testing of Jewel E begins in Q4 2021 with in-service trials expected to take place in Q1 2022. Manufacture and sales of Jewel E will begin in 2022.
Keyword: Jewel E Sets Benchmark for EV Double-Decker Buses