Esslingen, Rimini and Dayton Operate Kiepe Electric Bus Systems with In Motion Charging

Systems specialist Kiepe Electric has grown its market share in zero-emission drive systems. Mass transit authorities in Esslingen, Rimini and Dayton place orders for additional electric bus projects.

“We are delighted at the follow-up orders placed by our long-standing customers, reflecting their enduring trust in us and in our high-quality products,” said Dr. Peter Radina, member of the management board, Knorr-Bremse Rail Vehicle Systems.

Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority in Ohio has taken up an option for 26 dual-mode electric buses that are to replace its current trolleybuses, bringing the fleet into line with the latest state of the art. The four prototypes tested in a pilot program proved a match for the demanding conditions in downtown Dayton, as well as for the inclement weather. Since 2013, Kiepe Electric has won major orders from Seattle and San Francisco for electrical equipment for a total of 482 vehicles, and now ranks among the leading suppliers of electric bus drive systems in the U.S. market.

From 2019 onward, nine electric buses with IMC charging technology from Kiepe Electric will be operating on the new Rapid Coast Transport (TRC) line between Rimini and Riccione. The newly built line will run on a dedicated track, isolated from other traffic, and will offer local residents and tourists a fast link between the two cities. A traction battery enables the buses to access and exit the electrified route along roads with no overhead lines.

The city of Esslingen is to expand its battery-powered trolleybus fleet to ten vehicles. The mass transit authority has been running four electric buses from Kiepe Electric on scheduled line service since 2016. The focus here is on the enhancement of the company’s ground-breaking In Motion Charging technology: With the new IMC 500 system and an improved traction battery, the buses will now be able to draw up to 500 kW of power from the overhead lines, boosting their performance above all on uphill stretches.