Bus maker tests out NMC batteries in all-electric vehicle
New Flyer Industries of Winnipeg is testing its all-electric J4500e prototype bus at speeds up to 70mph through its US subsidiary Motor Coach Industries (MCI) in Alabama.
The all-electric J4500e coach is on schedule for January 2020 production and orders are being taken now. It uses a high-torque Siemens 2130 LB FT electric drive system with regenerative braking and a 450kWh pack based on NMC cells that can be fully recharged in in under three hours. The cells are supplied by two Michigan based battery companies, XALT Energy, and A123 Systems, and are tested over 5,000 deep discharge cycles to achieve an expected service life of 12 years or more.
MCI will also use the battery system and power train for its D45 CRT LE Commuter Coach and then the electric 35-foot MCI J.
“We’re enormously pleased by these early test results – our all-electric J4500e delivered smooth power across varied roadways and impressive results in acceleration, handling and ride quality,” said JP Pelletier, Vice President of MCI Engineering. “MCI has covered electric territory before with hybrid diesel-electric coaches built in early 2000s that are still in service, but with the all-electric platform, we’re benefitting from New Flyer’s long time, battery-electric low-floor transit expertise,” he said.
MCI will now move its all-electric J4500 testing to Silicon Valley, where public and private operators are promoting all-electric busses.
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