Siemens reveals 600 kW pantograph for electric buses

Siemens is launching the e-Line OnBoard series, a particularly quiet charging pantograph for electric buses, suitable for charging powers of up to 600 kW. The pantograph charger can be used for occasional charging for a short time with high currents or for charging at the depot with lower currents.

That said, the system is more likely to find its most useful application away from the depot, where residents may react sensitively to charging noise. According to Siemens, the new pantograph is characterised by very low noise development when contacting the charging bonnet and lowering onto the bus roof. According to the manufacturer, this is achieved by a special design and noise-absorbing coupling elements to the charging head. Siemens claims the device has the quietest contact build-up in its class with a noise level peak of 54 dB at a distance of ten metres.

Although the pantograph now  supports up to 600 kW, the German engineering firm says the transmission of even higher charging currents is planned as a development step in the near future. The pantograph e-Line OnBoard series is said to score with an unladen weight of less than 90 kilograms, a “wear-resistant design”, and an optionally available self-lowering function.

The charging pantograph has a mechanical interface of 600 x 630 mm installation dimensions, making it mechanically compatible with bus installation with existing roof pantographs. Equipped with the new Siemens charging pantograph, electric buses can still charge at the same relative position to the charging station, which means already existing markings do not necessarily need to be changed, explains Siemens.

Tests and field trials have already been completed, with Siemens saying that the pantograph is ready for series production, complies with EN 50696 in all aspects and can be used with today’s standard charging bonnets.

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