Berlin’s tourist double-deckers to go electric

The companies Tassima, Ziehl-Abegg and IAV are working together to electrify the tourist double-decker buses in Berlin. The diesel buses were once used for public transit, and will now be electrified to serve tourists.

Several hundred vehicles are being spoken of, which will be refitted with electric motors in a factory in Brandenburg. In order to achieve this, the vehicle refitters Tassima, the supplier Ziehl-Abegg and the engineering partner IAV entered a strategic partnership. The double-decker buses owned by the BVG are already in use as sightseeing buses, but still maintain their old diesel motors, which will now start changing.

The work split between the three partners will look as follows: Ziehl-Abegg is developing and producing the electric drive axle for conversion, where the electric motor and performance electronics are integrated into the wheel hub. Tassima, and their specialized team will take care of the conversion itself, as per their specialty. IAV will deliver the components. Finally a traction battery will be mounted where the diesel motors are currently located.

source: via Email