AkaSol is currently showcasing its AkaSystem original equipment manufacturer battery system as a complete roof installation including the chiller and other additional components at BusWorld Europe, which is on now.
The new battery system has allowed AkaSol to be “very successful” in the market for electric and hybrid buses, says the company.
From 2018, two well-known European bus manufacturers will be using the technology in Germany, with plans to equip around 10,000 e-buses over the next few years.
AkaSol is now expanding its production facilities in order to meet growing demand and further customer orders.
With its compact dimensions (150 x 700 x 1,700 mm) and modular design, AkaSystem OEM is especially suitable for use in commercial vehicles such as buses or trucks.
AkaSol says it has succeeded in integrating standardized PHEV [plug-in hybrid electric vehicle] battery modules from major manufacturers which are also used in the passenger car segment.
Sven Schulz, CEO of AkaSol, says: “This fact alone is reflected in an economically attractive price-performance ratio.
“Our customers also benefit from the economies of scale resulting from our serial production supply to various OEMs for electrically powered buses and trucks, as well as construction and special vehicles.”
Sustainability and safety in serial production
The company says the AkaSystem OEM was developed in accordance with the ISO 26262 standard, and can be adapted to match specific customer requirements, making it fully scalable.
AkaSol says the system has a novel, cost-effective water/glycol cooling system, and is especially efficient and durable.
In day-to day use, for example in public transport, this results in optimal thermal environmental conditions, claims the company.
The lithium-ion battery system achieves more than 3,000 full cycles and can be fast-charged with up to 500 kilowatts.
The standard version of AkaSystem OEM has a storage capacity of 24.4 kWh at a voltage of 661 V (nominal) and achieves an output of 150 kWp.
Energy amount and power can be scaled up to virtually any level by connecting an unlimited number of AkaSystem OEM units in parallel.
The system also complies with the highest safety standards in the automotive sector, such as the Automotive Safety Integrity Level ASIL-C, as well as all EUCAR, GB/T, UN 38.3, and ECE R100 safety and performance requirements.
Expanding production facilities
AkaSol will shortly put two further production sites with more than 3,700 square metres of additional hall and office space into operation.
In the first phase of expansion, the company will start large-scale production of battery systems for electric buses with a capacity of up to 300 MWh at a new facility in Langen.
This means that between 1,000 (300 kWh) and 1,500 (200 kWh) electric buses can be equipped each year.
In the second step, the capacity is to be expanded to 600 MWh per year (2,000 to 3,000 buses).
The automated, automotive-suitable serial production line, which is certified according to IATF 16949, will be commissioned in November.
