GILLIG releases next-generation battery for its electric bus

GILLIG LLC has released the next-generation energy storage system for its battery-electric bus that the company says provides a significant increase in onboard energy.

“We recognized how critical range was to our customers, so we performed an extensive market search to identify a system that provides maximum range for those customers who need it, while also providing for modularity for those with shorter duty cycles,” said GILLIG Vice President of Product Planning and Strategy Ben Grunat. “The new battery delivers a 32 percent increase in onboard energy capacity and therefore a significantly longer range for our customers.”

GILLIG worked with AKASOL to manufacture the new storage system, which provides up to 686 kWh of available energy, which the company says is the largest capacity in a North American transit bus.

The new battery is available in configurations of 490 kWh, 588 kWh and 686 kWh. GILLIG is partnering with Cummins, who provides the bus’s powertrain system to integrate and validate the new batteries with the bus ahead of the 2023 production start date.

“We are especially proud that GILLIG decided to use our ultra-high-energy battery system AKASystem CYC for its battery electric bus in North America. The battery system is specifically developed for long-distance traffic and enables variable battery capacities with up to 686 kWh,” said AKASOL Head of Sales On-Highway Holger Dilchert.

Built on the company’s low floor platform, GILLIG says the battery-electric bus received one of the highest rating of any 40-foot battery-electric bus tested at Altoona. GILLIG’s use of the low floor platform across its product lines helps ensure part commonality, ease of maintenance and a more seamless integration of electric buses into existing transit fleets. The platform, built on a stainless-steel, lightweight and corrosion-resistant chassis, provides for greater levels of safety, durability and quality. The bus also features integrated side-impact beams for added safety and quick-change side-skirt panels for ease of maintenance.

“We’ve assembled the absolute best partners to advance the capabilities of our electric bus,” added Grunat. “The combination of the largest onboard capacity, a high performance and highly efficient powertrain, the industry’s most robust support network and the proven GILLIG platform delivers the best overall value proposition to our customers.”

GILLIG’s battery-electric bus comes in 35-foot and 40-foot models, with the 35-foot bus carrying 31 seated passengers and a total of 62 passengers, while the 40-foot can transport 38 seated 75 total passengers.