European bus makers join forces on open charging agreement16 March 2016

Ahead of formal standardisation for electric bus charging – not expected until 2019 – four bus manufacturers have joined forces with charging system suppliers to agree an open charging infrastructure.

Irizar, Solaris, VDL and Volvo have agreed to ensure the interoperability of electric buses with charging infrastructure provided by ABB, Heliox and Siemens. The aim is to ensure an open interface between electric buses and charging infrastructure and to facilitate the introduction of electric bus systems in European cities.

Formal standardisation activities have started via the European body CEN-CENELEC and via the international organisation for standardization, ISO/IEC. European standards are expected in 2019 and international standards in 2020.

Until then, however, the agreement will enable an open, transparent and voluntary approach for charging of electric buses in many cities, both for fast charging at end stops and overnight charging.

For opportunity charging, the system includes automatic contacting by a pantograph, wireless communication, contacting plates and infrastructure equipment that automatically contact vehicles with a pantograph.

For overnight charged electric buses, the fast charging standard for cars (CCS) will be used as a base for the plug and for the communication.

Author
Laura Cork

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