During the 66th IAA Nutzfahrzeuge, which will be held from 22 to 29 September in Hanover, Germany, VDL Bus & Coach will present the MidBasic Electric. This is a fully electric bus from the mini and midi range, specifically designed to transport small numbers of passengers in sparsely populated areas.
The VDL MidBasic Electric, which will premiere at the IAA, is a community bus with 8+1 seats. The exceptionally innovative, fully electric powertrain was developed in cooperation with Austrian company Kreisel. Depending on the selected powertrain and battery package, the VDL MidBasic Electric has a range of 200 to 300 km.
VDL MidBasic Electric
The base vehicle for the VDL MidBasic Electric is a 3.5 tonne Mercedes Sprinter. VDL Bus & Coach replaces the diesel powertrain with a fully electric powertrain based on high-quality components from various European suppliers. The electric motors have power ratings of 120 to 150 kW. The fully electric powertrain was developed in cooperation with Kreisel. At 4.6 kg/kWh, the patented Kreisel batteries are extraordinarily lightweight, and with capacities of 72 kWh or optionally 92 kWh, a 200 to 300 km radius of action is possible. The batteries are liquid cooled and are located under the vehicle. As a result, there is no loss of space and the centre of gravity remains low.
Thanks to smart thermal management, the 200 to 300 km radius of action is also attainable at extreme temperatures. Furthermore, this smart thermal management offers possibilities for preheating and/or cooling of the interior. Rapid charging is possible with the standard, built-in 22 kW charger. A type 2 Combo charging plug, the European standard for charging passenger cars, ensures that the VDL MidBasic Electric can make use of the infrastructure that has been established for passenger cars and continues to be expanded. Accordingly, there is virtually no need to invest in a private charging infrastructure.
An innovative kinetic energy recovery system (KERS – Kinectic Energy Recovery System, 3 modes) eliminates the need for a retarder, considerably reducing the need for brake system maintenance.
Test drives during IAA 2016
The development of the VDL MidBasic Electric is yet another important step in the expansion of VDL Bus & Coach’s zero emission electric bus range. The VDL MidBasic Electric meets the need for small-scale passenger transport so this segment can also benefit from clean, quiet, efficient buses.
During the IAA 2016, VDL Bus & Coach will present the MidBasic Electric, configured as a community bus with 8+1 seats, both at the stand (hall 11, stand number C37) and in the outdoor area where visitors can take test drives.
