Electric double decker bus has 250 miles of range from 543-kWh battery

From hatchbacks and SUVs to pickup trucks and convertibles, we cover just about every type of EV that’s out there. However, we haven’t talked about a double-decker bus before, so allow us to introduce you to the Jewel E. Developed as part of a tie-up between Electric powertrain experts Equipmake and Spanish bus builder Beulas, the massive EV wants to set new standards in its class thanks to the biggest battery ever fitted to a double decker electric bus that has a single rear axle.

How big is it? Well, it’s a whopping 543 kWh, enough to enable the Jewel E cover up to 250 miles (402 kilometers), which is quite impressive for a vehicle as large and heavy as a double decker. The promised range should be more than enough for the typical mileage a bus covers each day, meaning range anxiety should not be much of a concern.

Moving all that metal is Equipmake’s HTM 3500 electric motor, capable of producing a staggering 400 kilowatts (537 horsepower) and a mountain-moving torque of 2,581 pound-feet (3,500 Newton-meters) from 1,000 rpm. The Jewel E is more than just proof of concept as it will commence testing on public roads in the final quarter of the year, with in-service trials scheduled for Q1 2022 ahead of a series production start later next year.

Equipmake’s modular and scalable powertrain is already in use in single decker buses operating on the streets of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The double decker is being engineered to accommodate smaller lithium-ion batteries, but only the 543-kWh pack will be able to deliver the promised maximum range. Once the battery pack is depleted, it can be recharged overnight by using a CSS DC charging point.

The companies behind the project are saying the Jewel E already meets the latest Transport for London (TfL) bus safety standard specifications and requirements that won’t come into effect until 2024.

Source: Equipmake