Opbrid Trůkbaar ultra-high-power automatic charging station for heavy-duty trucks debuts at IAA 2014
10 September 2014
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| The Opbrid Trůkbaar. Click to enlarge. |
Spain-based Opbrid, the provider of the overhead pantograph-based ultra-fast charging Opbrid Bůsbaar V3 for buses (earlier post), is introducing the Opbrid Trůkbaar for trucks at IAA 2014. The system for the automatic fast charging of heavy-duty electric trucks is 100% compatible with the standards-based Bůsbaar.
The Opbrid Trůkbaar and Bůsbaar V3 are designed for ultra high power mode 4 DC charging, up to 650 kW. This amount of power transfer uses safe and reliable conductive technology transferred from the European electric rail industry by our partner Furrer+Frey, with more than 90 years of experience in high power transfer to locomotives.
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| The infrared photo shows a temperature increase of only 9.8 degrees at the junction between the pantograph and the overhead charging rail of the Opbrid Bůsbaar at 625 A. Click to enlarge. |
This amount of power transfer enables scenarios such as super short charge stops and 24 hour operation. Since the Opbrid Trůkbaar and Bůsbaar are 100% compatible, cities can leverage their investment in bus chargers by also using them for rubbish collection, delivery vehicles and street cleaners. Vehicles of various heights can charge at the same station due to the large vertical working range of the charging station.
Both the Opbrid Trůkbaar and the new Opbrid Bůsbaar V3 share the same design by Furrer+Frey of Switzerland, with a pantograph which lowers from the curbside station, and an inexpensive transverse 4 contact bar on the roof of the vehicle.
The new design of the Opbrid Trůkbaar and Bůsbaar V3 also liberates designers to create curbside charging stations that blend into existing streetscapes, or that stand out as street furniture. This is because the overhead pantograph is compact and hidden underneath a weatherproof cover. As a result, the mounting post as well as the weatherproof cover can be almost any shape, giving designers freedom.
The Opbrid Trůkbaar and Bůsbaar V3 have been designed to conform to IEC and ISO standards for high power DC charging, with 4 contacts, correct contact sequence, and built-in verification of contact surface before charging. The parking tolerance is quite broad and reliable due to the of experience making bus fast charging stations. An optional insulating cover for the on-vehicle part is available to add an additional layer of safety. The station retracts upward to over 4.5 meters when not charging to fulfill traffic regulations.
At 650 KW, that's the level required for future e-buses, e-trucks and heavy machinery.
Future extended range e-cars and e-pick-ups could do with half as much.
Those very high capacity chargers will probably need (be restricted to) wired connections.
Posted by: HarveyD | 10 September 2014 at 08:06 AM
This is an ingenious solution that could be applicable to many city-serving public/semi-public vehicles, as stated in the article.
I like how the multiple used leverages the investment in the charging stations.
I imagine the various truck operators could use 1-2 minutes per hour to take a sip of coffee. It goes without saying that the charging stations should be equipped with toilets and coffee/vending machines (behind locked doors) for the users.
I wonder how long an electric refuse truck needs to charge per hour of use? Ditto for street cleaning machines etc.
Posted by: Thomas Pedersen | 11 September 2014 at 04:57 AM
Forget the fuel savings, think of the improvement in quality of life. Buses and garbage trucks are some of the noisiest vehicles that get near people's homes. Converting them to electric power gets rid of the engine noise and probably cuts most of the hydraulic noise as well (for garbage trucks).
I'd vote for such a conversion for the noise benefits alone.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 11 September 2014 at 07:11 AM
Whaaaa 650KW... This could charge at 100% the 500M / 160KWH battery of the future in 15mn and 80% in 12mn ! And the current Tesla 85KWH models at 80% in just a little more than 6mn...if it could be compatible.... Much better than Tesla 135KW Superchargers ! Hope EV batteries could support such levels of power... Not sure they have been designed for this level yet...
Posted by: Patrick Free | 12 September 2014 at 07:01 AM
@E-P'
I fully agree with you on this one We live on a very small island and the most annoying vehicles and/or machines are:
1. street cleaning machines (all)
2. snow removal equipment (all)
3. garbage collecting trucks (all)
4. city buses (depending on driver)
5. large lawn mowers and edge trimmers (all)
6. movers and large delivery trucks. (depending on driver)
7. young and not so young drivers with modified Honda Civic. (the police force is not trying hard enough to stop them)
8. side walks and street repairs (all)
Electrification could reduce the noise level from all the above by 15 to 25 dbA. Over 80% of the resident would vote for it. (the other 20% turn down their hearing aids hen hey have enough)
Posted by: HarveyD | 12 September 2014 at 09:15 AM
You live on PEI?
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 12 September 2014 at 10:13 AM
Nope...on Paton Island.
Posted by: HarveyD | 14 September 2014 at 08:14 AM