SPAIN
Having delivered more than 25 open-top double-deckers since 2018 to major European tourist cities such as Paris, London, Brussels and Amsterdam, Unvi is now trialling its latest generation battery-electric open-top bus in Barcelona with operator TMB.
The trials have so far seen positive consumption results, the manufacturer said, of 0.8 kWh/km without passengers but with air conditioning for the driver switched on. “This validates our solution as the most efficient on the market thanks to its optimised chassis technology with higher energy density batteries and in-wheel motors without transmission, which allow greater autonomy, lower operation and maintenance costs as well as maximising seating capacity,” said Unvi.
The manoeuvrability was said to have been good around the routes, including in demanding areas such as the access to Port Vell. Unvi said that the power available, 400kW of maximum power and 240kW of nominal power, makes it possible for the bus to face any section of the route without the difficulties that they can present the current buses.
Unvi said that the driving position has been optimised to provide an ergonomic working environment for the driver to make their work easier, such as adding regenerative braking combined with brake pedal and retarder lever.
New orders for the bus already incorporate batteries with higher energy density that reduce weight as well as offering up to 10 years of warranty on the batteries. The bus is available in lengths from 10 to 13 metres, and with battery capacities of 145 to 434kWh.
