Low-profile underfloor battery demonstrates Cummins’ investment in new innovations in electrified power
Cummins unveiled its next generation battery electric system, including its new low-profile battery, for the first time at Busworld Europe 2019, showcasing the company’s advances in powertrain technology for the European bus market.
At the show, Cummins highlighted the new low-profile battery – designed for the European market, but available for use in other markets – which measures under 140mm in height, in an 8.9-metre-long ADL Enviro200 bus.
This product will enable Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to meet European low-floor requirements while maintaining a low centre of gravity and maximising utilisation of unoccupied space.
To be offered as part of a broader modular platform, the new low-profile battery uses the latest cell technology to deliver high energy density and packaging efficiency, with Cummins saying it represents a ‘significant step forward’ for accessible, zero-emissions bus design.
“The Next Generation Battery Electric System is an exciting glimpse of Cummins’ future product plan for electrified powertrains,” said Julie Furber, Vice President of Electrified Power at Cummins.
“As electric vehicles gather momentum in the public transport sector, designing batteries with faster charging and a longer range will be a breakthrough technological shift – and doing so in a form that meets regulatory requirements and at a competitive price is a vital step for the industry.”
The low-profile battery was displayed as part of a complete Battery Electric System (BES), including products from Cummins’ existing product portfolio such as the high energy BP74E batteries mounted in the roof and the Cummins System Controller.
Other components including the new Cummins Integrated e-Drive – a single unit traction system which combines motor, transmission and inverter into a single lightweight system – and the BP39E battery, which brings the latest Cummins battery technology to a smaller footprint, are part of Cummins’ future product roadmap.
