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on NMC chemistry, they’re required to have the capacity, performance and safety to enable daily performance in a school bus application, explained Smith. “We continue to evaluate battery manufacturers and technologies as they enter the market,” he noted. With the societal as well as policymaking push away from fossil fuels,
substantial future progress in battery tech seems a given. One potential leap forward is being pursued by a three-member consortium. Brazilian company CBMM, Toshiba and Volkswagen Truck and Bus have developed a prototype Li-ion with niobium battery-powered electric bus that promis- es both extremely fast recharging and extended battery life. The new approach includes the addition of the metal niobium to the
anode in Li-ion battery cells, a development known as NTO, along with the development of thermal, energy and ultra-fast charging management sys- tems. The combination allows the vehicle’s maximum range to be attained in just 10 minutes of charging, with battery life up to three times longer than conventional batteries. Presently the technology is being validated and improved in a real-life setting at CBMM, with a prototype bus configured on an 18-ton chassis. Com- mercialization may be attainable in the next couple of years, reported Rodrigo Chaves, vice president and CTO of research and development for Volkswagen Truck & Bus in São Paulo, Brazil. He noted that the fast-charging features of the new system should bring several important efficiencies. “This allows both streamlined infrastructure for recharging and the sizing
of batteries to adjust to the range needed, especially for captive routes like school buses and public transportation,” he said. “With ultra-fast recharging, one supercharger could take the place of many.” Not only could one station serve a number of buses, but the need for over-
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night charging could potentially be eliminated. In addition, the properties of tech based on niobium support greater efficiency and the need for less mass, while improving the energy density of the battery by up to 35 percent. A solid state battery is more energy dense yet lighter weight while prom- ising increased safety, double the range and faster vehicle charging times. But the option does not currently exist for school buses as development to date has been focused on passenger vehicle applications. It could eventu- ally be a game changer for school transportation. But the promise has been slow coming.
Progress Assured? While electric vehicle technology matures, the current variety in ap-
proaches is understandable, Liu noted. He pointed out that Accelera is developing a variety of zero-emissions technologies that will support OEMs as they transition to battery powered and fuel cell powered EVs. “We recognize this shift looks different for every industry and applica-
tion,” he said. “There is no one-size-fits-all.” While staying on top of developments with various components of buses
makes sense, the big picture should not be overlooked, Blue Bird’s Smith advised. “Regardless of the technology used in an individual component, the
performance of the overall system is what matters most to a school district,” he noted. “It’s also important to customers that both the school bus manu- facturer and the powertrain supplier ensure that uptime and performance standards are met throughout the life of the vehicle.” ●
32 School Transportation News • AUGUST 2024
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