emobility has developed an Opp Charge-equipped Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, which was on display outside of the main halls of the IAA. Richard Sharman took a closer look at the vehicle
The Hanover Showground is a massive venue with hundreds of vehicles on display outside of the main halls, but a blue vinyl-wrapped Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with pantograph rails attached to the roof instantly caught my eye. [wlm_nonmember][…]
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Walking over to the emobility stand for a closer look, it quickly became clear that this vehicle had been fitted with an Opportunity Charging system.
Opportunity Charging, or Opp Charge as it is more commonly known, is a technology that the industry has started to become familiar with as larger single-deck vehicles such as the Volvo 7900 use this kind of system – but this not a common feature in the minibus market.
Opp Charge works by having a charging unit based somewhere along the route, normally at a route terminus, to allow the vehicle to be charged quickly by using an inverted pantograph that automatically detects the vehicle underneath it.
The arms on the pantograph then lower and connect with the rails fitted on top of the Opp Charge-equipped vehicle. In terms of the emobility Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, it can top up charge in as little as five minutes for every 20km covered.
When the vehicle is fully charged it has a range of up to 70km, and is fitted with a plug-in charging unit which allows overnight charging at the depot. A number of vehicles parked outside the halls were part of an electric vehicle test drive area, and luckily the emobility vehicle was one of those involved.
As I approached the vehicle to take a closer look, I was met by Latvian-based emobility Managing Director and Co-Founder Agris Amolins. He showed me around the vehicle and explained that the batteries were located in what was the engine bay and under the floor of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. The plug-in charging point is located on the off-side front over the wheel arch and the Opp Charge rails are on the roof of the vehicle towards the front.
As I talk to Agris he explains that that the vehicle has been developed by emobility, Universals LTD and Drive eO. Drive eO specialises in electric motorsport technology and has already used electric vehicles in the Dakar Rally and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb event, known as ‘Race to the Clouds’. Agris also explained that this project is called oppbus.
By talking to Agris I realised that this vehicle has been designed by a company that has been involved in electric vehicles that have undergone the toughest of off-road conditions, and raced at high altitude. The link with Drive eO also shows in the components used in the oppbus. For example the electric motor is made by YASA, who were also used in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb car.
The rather ingenious body conversion carried out by Universals LTD seats 18 passengers, whilst the main structure of the Sprinter remains with a two-step entry at the front of the vehicle and a standard level floor through the interior. The rear of the vehicle from behind the rear axle has a low floor area to allow a wheelchair to be carried. This is accessed by twin leaf plug doors. Talking to Agris about the body of the vehicle and the specification the UK market would require, he said he would be happy to talk to UK bodybuilders about bringing this product to our shores.
I managed to have a short five minute test drive of the oppbus around the electric vehicle test course which was set up to navigate between the halls of the Hanover Showground.
The cab layout is exactly as you would expect with any other Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, but this vehicle is impressively silent in operation. With the handbrake in the off position the vehicle does not roll back, only moving away with a light touch of the accelerator. The power from the YASA motor is smooth and effortless at low urban, speeds but if you require more speed and power the Drive eO knowledge can be felt with the vehicle moving quickly as required.
In terms of vehicle handling, the additional battery weight is not noticeable as it has been built into the engine bay and under the floor and the steering remains light and accurate. Turning on the headlights, interior lights and air conditioning had no effect on the power of the vehicle. Unfortunately I did not have much time behind the wheel of the oppbus, but it was long enough to leave a lasting impression that the technology is here, and that the Opportunity Charge option adds another dimension to the minibus market.
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