ABC Companies, a leading provider of motorcoach, transit and specialty passenger transport vehicles in the USA and Canada, has recently completed an unprecedented long-distance road trip with customer, MTRWestern a leading charter bus, and shuttle transport company serving the Pacific Northwest. ABC Companies provided a new 100% battery-electric Van Hool CX45E motorcoach – to facilitate the pilot program road test. This demonstration unit is the same make and model ABC began delivering to customers in early 2021 and is used for ongoing data collection and performance benchmarking with customer specific applications.
The demonstration covered nearly 1,700 miles round trip.
Starting in Newark, CA to the destination in Seattle, WA and then returning to Newark, CA. During several legs of the journey, various MTRWestern passenger groups experienced a unique trip aboard the 100% battery-electric Van Hool CX45E, traveling to destinations throughout northern California and the Pacific Northwest. Given the extended distance of this demonstration, existing publicly available charging stations were used along the route.
The motorcoach averaged 280 miles of total projected range between charges over the course of the trip, with some legs projecting well in excess of 300 miles.
These ranges while in commercial operation, are continuing to raise the bar for EV commercial passenger vehicles, and reflect what is available now through ABC Companies. This demonstration was also designed to test the viability of charging stations along a typical route. The data and learning focused on equipment performance and commercial grid access. Charging stations were available at regular intervals with plenty of range to spare, although several locations were not designed to readily accommodate larger passenger vehicles. While the chargers were fully capable of recharging the Van Hool CX45E, it is clear the physical layouts of many stations were not prepared for the pace at which ABC is deploying these unique vehicles into the market. Charging times were shorter than projected, averaging 2.5 to 3 hours, as the vehicle never used more than 65% of the available battery on each leg of the trip, due to the energy density of the standard Proterra Powered battery packs.
With this leap forward in EV passenger range Roman Cornell, ABC President/Chief Commercial Officer was asked if there were any plans to formally set or announce EV distance records, “Between the almost 1700 miles of total round-trip distance covered, and with some legs of the trip projecting over 300 miles between charges, we were asked multiple times if we should apply for a “world record”. The reality is, we continue to beat our own records as we transport the CX45E and the upcoming Van Hool TDX25E double deckacross country utilizing the existing publicly available grid.
Our customers who have the CX45E in their fleets also continue to see increases in range as their drivers improve their ability to manage energy usage.
We utilize real time telematics measuring everything from energy consumption, charge rates, vehicle performance and more, so we are able to work with our customers and continually improve energy consumption and therefore range. Our continued success with the Proterra Powered electric drivetrain just keeps pushing the current boundaries for zero emissions motorcoach travel, making claims or records, somewhat irrelevant. These coaches perform as stated, period.”
Specifically designed for large group transport and travel, the Van Hool CX45E is ABC’s battery electric version of its flagship premium passenger CX45 clean diesel model. Starting with the highly efficient and proven Van Hool CX45 design, the development of an electric version brings a proven package for customers who have begun reducing their fleet carbon emissions. Onboard premium passenger and driver amenities offer enhanced drivability, passenger comfort and performance – all integrated in a zero emissions platform, designed for environmental sustainability.
Road Test Conditions, Parameters & Results
Traveling at an average speed of 54 mph, through challenging terrain including elevations of 5,600+ feet through the picturesque Cascade-Siskiyou National Forest and with an average temperature of 55 degrees, ABC telematics continually capture real time data to measure operator and equipment performance during operation. Key performance indicators including total kWh consumption, charge rates, kWh regeneration and more, are analyzed against initial projections and benchmarked with thousands of miles of data from other CX45Es already in operation.
This demonstration with MTRWestern met and exceeded expectations providing more quantifiable data for customer specific applications, allowing operators to make informed decisions and optimize operations. Even on steep grades, the CX45E easily glided with moving traffic and utilized regenerative braking during extended downhill braking situations, generating substantial energy that went back into the battery packs further increasing efficiency and range.
Performance highlights
- Round trip averaged 280 miles of projected range per charge while in commercial operation
- Total energy used 3,400 kwh vs 262 gallons of equivalent diesel fuel
- Significant energy cost savings depending on electric rates at time and location of charge
- 2.3 Metric Tons of C02 emissions avoided during demonstration