Rail rolling stock and infrastructure maker Alstom has revealed its 12m Aptis electric bus, which it is calling ‘a ground-breaking’ solution to urban road electromobility that can carry up to 95 passengers
An electric bus that offers an attractive alternative to both the car and to trams is a long-term industry Holy Grail. French rail specialist Alstom thinks that it has the answer with what it calls its “ground breaking” Aptis concept.
Aptis has been developed in collaboration with Alstom subsidiary New Translohr (NTL), which has designed a number of tram systems that run on rubber tyres. But this is definitely a bus.
The centrepiece is a radically-designed 12m single-decker with a claimed range of 200km. It has opportunity charging options, and it offers an attractive travelling environment and a high capacity thanks to some clever design aspects.
“With Aptis, we complete our electric mobility offering and we are now able to offer cities a full range of urban solutions,” says Alstom Chairman and CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge.
“It was a challenge to create this concept, which has been made possible thanks to NTL’s agility and knowledge and Alstom’s expertise in traction and system integration. This environmentally-friendly solution will revolutionise urban transport.”
White elephant or thoroughbred?
Alstom and NTL say that Aptis harnesses all of their collective experience, and that it incorporates “all of the advantages of a tram to enhance both passenger experience and operation.”
The Aptis vehicle has either two or three doors and it comes with a flexible interior layout. That may include a rear lounge, and seats can be added or removed depending on requirements at different stages of the bus’ life. It is extensively glazed in a nod to its tram-like aspirations.
The bus is entirely low-floor except for both areas above the wheels. They are located at each corner and to maintain manoeuvrability all are steered.
This, says Alstom, gives less corner cut-in than a traditionally-configured 12m bus despite the Aptis vehicle’s much longer wheelbase. It also has the benefit of being able to ‘crab steer’ into stops that are partially obstructed by other vehicles or road furniture. Batteries and the power system are roof-mounted.
Reliability is assured, Alstom adds. It claims that Aptis is easy to maintain and will have the longest life in its category. The latter is no doubt thanks to use of a tram body shell; trams often record double the lifetime of urban buses.
Weighing it up
Floor height of the Aptis bus is 330mm and its electric motor can deliver 180kW of power. It can climb a 13% grade when loaded to its maximum capacity of 95, or a 20% incline when empty.
Charging is via two different means. One involves bringing on board enough energy via a six-hour overnight plug-in to complete a full day’s operation.
The other means is by either an inverted pantograph or Alstom’s SRS system, which is a ground-based opportunity charging concept. Both take around five minutes to recharge the bus sufficiently for its next journey.
“When installed on Aptis, SRS provides the ability to charge the bus each time it reaches the end of the route, instead of just in the depot. Thus fewer batteries are required on the version with SRS,” says Alstom.
SRS also has other advantages. Fewer roof-mounted batteries leave more space for air-conditioning, and there is no need to install charging infrastructure for every vehicle in depots.
Additionally, opportunity-charged buses have a reduced impact on the energy grid; when all are charged at the same place overnight, installation of a specific substation may be required.
All systems go?
Aptis will undergo tests with RATP in Paris and the greater Ile-de-France region later in 2017, and Alstom says that other cities in France have shown interest in it.
Alstom and NTL add that they will provide not only the vehicle, but an all-encompassing operating system for those who chose the model. That will include charging options; dimensioning; leasing and warranty; and road infrastructure.
“Thanks to low maintenance and operational costs, and a longer lifetime compared with other buses, Aptis has a total cost of ownership equivalent to that of a diesel bus,” says Alstom. The electric concept bus is designed for a 20-year life, as is its electric motor, which is air-cooled and inspired by Alstom’s tram range.
“Alstom and NTL are also working on various innovative ways of selling Aptis. Some customers may buy only the vehicle, while others may prefer a bundle with maintenance.
“Our two companies are also working with investors and leasing companies to develop an offer targeting operators who do not own vehicles, or who own only the body and not the batteries,” it adds.
Whether Aptis comes here remains to be seen. At the moment, Alstom is targeting Europe’s leading electric bus markets. But there is every chance that in coming years the UK will become a member of this elite club, and so Aptis may be seen on these shores at some time in the future.
routeone comment
There is no shortage of electric bus models, and supply will only increase in coming years as more manufacturers – including those from lower-cost economies – come to the party.
Information on the price of Aptis is lacking, and it is logical to think that it will vary greatly depending on what comes as part of the package.
But Alstom says that an Aptis vehicle will have a total cost of ownership no higher than that of a comparable diesel bus. With electricity being cheaper than fossil fuels, and Aptis having a projected 20-year life, that suggests an expensive initial price.
Even so, it is an interesting challenger of the norm.
