In what is believed to be the first of its kind, a battery-powered Mercedes-Benz Sprinter that makes use of pantograph-based opportunity charging equipment was shown at Busworld Kortrijk by Latvian company Oppbus.
Oppbus says that the conversion offers a capacity of up to 22, 18 of which are seated. It has an electric motor rated continuously at 70kW and a 44kW/h Toyota battery, and a plug-in charge gives a range of up to 70km.
After that, five minutes’ opportunity charging gives a further 20km range, although when plugged in to a high-power DC charger, only 15 minutes is required to achieve 80% battery level.
The prototype example is to the layout favoured in the Baltic States and it has a low-floor section at the rear, accessed by a second door. At the front, entrance is via steps.
