ElDorado National (California) or ENC, a subsidiary of REV Group®, will launch its fully electric Axess bus, a zero-emissions transportation solution, at APTA EXPO at booth 2553.
Available in a 40-, 35- and 32-foot lengths, the battery-electric bus is built on the Axess platform, which has more than 20 years of performance and is the only EV bus in the industry that features a zero-corrosion, 100 percent 304-grade stainless steel body structure/composite exterior. As a result, there is no undercoating required, which allows less maintenance and creates a lighter bus.
The electric propulsion/battery system is by Cummins Inc., and the electrified accessories include the air compressor, HVAC unit, passenger doors and power steering. The 40-foot bus can accommodate up to seven batteries, which equals 518kw of energy storage. The bus utilizes the latest generation I/O Controls – G5 multiplex electrical system with a diagnostic and system monitoring capability. The auxiliary electronic tower integrates four adjustable slide-put shelves and an air-conditioning duct dedicated to the compartment which enhances the longevity of the bus’s electrical components. ENC offers a variety of charging options on the buses, including depot charging with charging port flexibility curbside, street side and on the front of the bus, pantograph charging for opportunity charging en-route, as well as inground inductive charging.
ENC has multiple configurations for passenger seating and wheelchair accommodations to meet the exacting needs of its customers. Safety is a core focus in the design and ENC says the Axess is the first heavy-duty low-floor bus to offer FMVSS 208 certified three-point passenger seat belts. In addition, ENC says it was the first mass transit bus manufacturer to introduce front or center door ADA compliant wheelchair ramps.
Driver visibility and comfort is improved with a larger windshield, which is angled to deflect the glare of interior lighting and helps to create a quieter bus with less drag driving on the road. The tall windshield and low dash offer greater visibility for drivers of any stature. The ergonomically designed color LED dashboard display offers full diagnostic menu for ease of service
“When designing ENC’s Axess BEB, we focused on delivering an EV bus that is commercially viable and fulfills the zero-emissions transportation needs of our customers with a range of customization, enhanced safety and a robust structure for durability of use,” said Jason Moore, vice president and general manager, ENC. “We are eager to launch our first battery-electric bus at APTA, which is built entirely at our state-of-the-art Riverside, Calif., facility. We look forward to bringing it to transit agencies across North America.”
