A simple ideal: Combustion engine out, electric drive in – a plug-and-play kind of solution. If only things were so simple! Electromobility actually means completely rethinking urban mobility. That’s why e‑mobility from Mercedes‑Benz is about more than just the fully-electric eCitaro; it’s about offering a comprehensive system composed of a number of different components. The comprehensive eMobility system takes into account such things as power supply, charging infrastructure, rotational planning, telematics systems, service concepts and, last but not least, the training of employees.
Perfectly-planned changeover: Mercedes-Benz eMobility Consulting is on‑hand to help
In transport companies, the conversion to electromobility means more than energy consumption and range. Key words here are route guidance and routes, topography and weather conditions, bus stop spacing or timetabling. Thankfully, these are familiar territory for the specialists at Mercedes‑Benz. They use simulation software to see which routes are suitable for e-mobility and, upon request, come up with suggestions for electric bus routes.
Well-advised: the eMobility Service concept from Omniplus
E-mobility requires a range of specific services. The eMobility Service concept starts with assisting the customer’s own workshop, but also includes the tailor-made Service Contracts eBasic and ePremium, not to mention BusDepot Management. Here, employees from Omniplus look after the vehicle in the customer’s own workshop. The Omniplus Training Centre in Dortmund provides exemplary information about the equipment required by a workshop for electric buses and offers a complete training concept for e-mobility.
Always connected: integration into telematics systems utilises potential
The eCitaro is a communicative vehicle – it is networked with the charging infrastructure in accordance with the ISO-15118 protocol. Mercedes-Benz offers solutions for integrating the vehicle-specific data in management systems. Via the Omniplus On portal, companies can obtain an insight into the operating data of their fleet. In conjunction with the ITS software provider IVU Traffic Technologies, Mercedes-Benz offers integrated systems solutions which ensure maximum transparency in planning routes, right up as far as depot management.
Top performance: tailored charging infrastructure
As standard, Mercedes-Benz envisages charging to be carried out by plugging in the vehicles at the depot. Upon request, so-called “opportunity charging” can also be made possible, optionally by means of a pantograph on the roof or with a combination of charging rails and a stationary current collector. The specialists from Mercedes‑Benz have put various charging infrastructures through their paces and will be happy to provide advice and recommendations.
Highly charged: how the bus gets its energy
The delivery of electrical energy to the bus is the central aspect of inner-city e‑mobility. Mercedes-Benz eMobility Consulting provides assistance with infrastructure planning, calculates the necessary electrical supply, has good connections with the network and grid operators, and will recommend the right charging technology to suit the requirements – including the organisation of the depot with suitable parking bays and electrical connections to the buses.
SOURCE: Daimler
