A new electric drive system originally conceptualized by Voith Turbo as a prototype for a Solaris Urbino Bus can also be integrated into vehicles from other manufacturers without restrictions.

The system is currently being deployed with a lithium-iron-phosphate battery and a liquid-cooled permanent The Voith electric drive system in a Solaris Urbino bus. Source: Voithmagnet motor with high-efficiency inverter and smart energy management capability. With a torque of 2,250 N·m and an output of 260 kW, the compact drive offers reduced weight, noise and maintenance and is powerful enough to efficiently operate heavy articulated buses.

Cooling all components with water increases reliability while lowering noise emissions, and targeted brake force recuperation extends driving range, which now exceeds 200 km (124 miles). This corresponds to the total daily operation of a conventional city bus line, and improvements in battery technology are expected to continually increase driving range.

The company notes that demand for environmentally friendly, low-noise drives in public transport is rapidly growing. A move toward more air pollution and noise emissions restrictions in many areas suggests that the number of electric drive vehicles will continue to grow in the near-term.

In September, Voith will introduce the demonstrator bus to the general public at the IAA Commercial Vehicles 2018 trade fair in Hanover, under the motto "Drive New Ways."