ABB Power Grids and Ashok Leyland team up for greener electric buses

Ashok Leyland, flagship of Hinduja Group, and ABB Power Products and Systems India Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the public e-mobility space, to expand the eco-system for efficient and greener electric bus transportation systems in India. The MoU outlines a partnership to develop a pilot electric bus based on ABB’s innovative flash-charge technology, TOSA, which tops up the battery in just seconds while passengers get on and off the bus. This avoids the need to take the vehicle out of service for recharging every few hours or having a replacement bus ready, thus minimizing the size of the fleet while increasing passenger carrying capacity.  

“We are pushing the boundaries of e-mobility with our flash-charging technology TOSA for buses to contribute to a cleaner, greener, and sustainable future. The aim is to provide a zero local emission mass public transportation bus system with high passenger capacity. We are pleased to be working with Ashok Leyland in advancing responsible urban mobility,” said Mr. N. Venu, Managing Director, ABB Power Products and Systems India Limited (ABB Power Grids’ business in India).  

The Indian Government is promoting the use of electric vehicles (EVs), in some cases planning on  mandating it, to reach 30 per cent penetration of EVs by 2030. For operators, the switch to electric is a big ask. Their primary challenge with battery-operated buses is to maximise passenger load carrying capacity and running time to make the whole operation economically viable as well as sustainable for the future.  

To solve this problem, Ashok Leyland – India’s largest bus manufacturer, and the fourth largest manufacturer of buses in the world – will develop and manufacture electric buses with ABB’s award-winning TOSA flash-charging technology along with operational support and service.  

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. N Saravanan, Chief Technology Officer, Ashok Leyland, said, “Ashok Leyland has always been at the forefront of innovation and indigenous technology, providing class-leading vehicles that have met and exceeded customer expectations. In this journey, to stay competitive in our Domestic and Global markets, we are joining hands with ABB to use their world-renowned TOSA technology on our e-buses to take forward our vision of expanding in the EV space. This solution of the flash charge technology (TOSA)  which enables charging the battery in seconds, is another example of  us delivering on our brand promise of ‘Aapki Jeet. Hamari Jeet.”  

TOSA is the world’s fastest flash-charging connection technology that lets cities reduce the environmental pollution of their transit systems without affecting passenger capacity or journey times. At selected passenger stops, its system connects the bus to the charging infrastructure, and in a mere 15 seconds the batteries are charged with a 600-kilowatt power boost. An additional few minutes charge at the final terminal enables a full recharge without interrupting the bus schedule.   TOSA fast-charging can save as much as 1,000 tons of carbon dioxide on a line covering 600,000 kilometers per year. It also offers operating cost savings of 30 percent compared to an equivalent diesel-transit system.

ABB is also providing its ABB Ability^™ Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software solution for asset optimization, as well as its ABB Ability Network Manager Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to monitor and control the power network for charging stations and e-buses. On its part, AL will be providing vehicle, energy and EV related technical information using its iAlert Platform. This will further optimize maintenance processes, enable a fast response to fault incidents and better predict maintenance and performance needs. The overall solutions are equipped with remote access and 'cloud' capabilities and is scalable to meet future needs.  

ABB Power Grids’ business in India is responsible for planning, design, engineering installation and commissioning of the TOSA charging system under the MoU. Ashok Leyland will have the scope of manufacturing and supplying electrics buses compatible with TOSA technology.  

NOTES:

ABB Power Products and Systems India Limited is the standalone legal entity of ABB’s Power Grids business in India.  

BOILERPLATE:

ABB Power Grids is a global leader and pioneer in power technologies. We create value for customers across the energy, industrial, transportation and infrastructure sectors, delivering an extensive range of digitally-advanced solutions. Active in 90+ countries, our experts contribute deep insight that enhances reliability, efficiency and safety. Together, we are committed to shaping the future of sustainable energy for generations to come, as the partner of choice for a stronger, smarter and greener grid. www.abb.com/grids  

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a technology leader that is driving the digital transformation of industries. With a history of innovation spanning more than 130 years, ABB has four customer-focused, globally leading businesses: Electrification, Industrial Automation, Motion, and Robotics & Discrete Automation, supported by the ABB Ability^™ digital platform. ABB’s Power Grids business will be divested to Hitachi in 2020. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 147,000 employees.  

Ashok Leyland, the flagship of the Hinduja Group, is the second-largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles in India, the fourth largest manufacturer of buses in the world, and the tenth-largest manufacturer of trucks. Headquartered in Chennai, 9 manufacturing plants give an international footprint – 7 in India, a bus manufacturing facility in Ras al Khaimah (UAE), and one at Leeds, United Kingdom. A US$ 4.2 billion (2018-19) company, and a footprint that extends across 50 countries, we are one of the most fully-integrated manufacturing company. Ashok Leyland has a product range from 2.5T GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) to 49T GTW (Gross Trailer Weight) in trucks, 16 to 80 seater buses, vehicles for defense and special applications, and diesel engines for industrial, genset, and marine applications.