ARBOC Specialty Vehicles, LLC, a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., introduced the Equess CHARGE™, a battery-electric low-floor purpose-built bus.
“Providing innovative transit solutions for over 90 years, NFI is leading the zero-emission evolution with over 1,900 electric buses on the road in the United States and Canada. Today, we expand NFI’s comprehensive suite of sustainable transportation solutions with our Equess CHARGE,” said Doug Minix, general manager, ARBOC. “With the Equess CHARGE, we continue to lead the industry in low-floor, accessible mobility – providing transportation solutions that improve the environment while delivering a better experience for passengers through spacious entranceways, elimination of steps, superior entry ramp ratio and a smoother ride.”
The Equess CHARGE™ prototype is complete and manufacturing of the 35-foot model will commence early 2021. The bus will also be available in a 30-foot model.
The first production bus will undergo testing through the Federal Transit Administration’s Model Bus Testing Program in Altoona, Pa., in 2021, with production for distribution anticipated for Q4 of 2021. The Equess CHARGE™ will be distributed exclusively by Creative Bus Sales in the United States and by Dynamic Specialty Vehicles, Crestline Coach and Creative Carriage in Canada.
ARBOC explains the Equess CHARGE™ builds on its proven Equess transit bus platform, and utilizes the in-field electric vehicle technology from New Flyer of America. The Equess CHARGE™ offers battery technology made in America by XALT, SIEMENS electric motors with efficient regenerative energy recovery and charging infrastructure compliant with industry standards.
Passengers on the battery-electric Equess CHARGE™ will experience a smooth ride and added benefits the Equess design offers. With no steps throughout the bus, a spacious 39-inch entrance door opening and a superior entry ramp ratio for passengers with mobility assist devices, the Equess platform offers an enhanced level of accessibility. The Equess CHARGE™ features a carrying capacity of up to 33 seated passengers and six wheelchair passengers, all accomplished by optimized battery placement on the roof of the vehicle and in a rear compartment. Extended range configurations allow for up to 437 kWh battery capacity with anticipated transit ranges of approximately 230 miles on a single charge.
The Equess CHARGE™ will feature the SIEMENS ELFA 3 direct drive motor and a roof-mounted energy storage system compromised of four to five strings of batteries (dependent on bus length), with each string housed in an IP67 (weather tight) enclosure. The Equess CHARGE™ also includes a roof-mounted battery thermal management system, SIEMENS inverter rack assemblies (with 702 volts primary and 460 volts secondary), Parker Vansco electric controls and multiplexing, and will be compatible with a depot charger with a common CCS Type 1 plug.
