ende
Schunk Transit Systems ensures clean and efficient public transportation

Conductive Charging Solutions for Electric Buses

Smart Charging Technologies for Public Transport - More and more municipalities are banning diesel-powered gensets in favor of zero-emission, battery-powered buses and other vehicles. Our innovative Schunk Smart Charging system is the key to integrating this into everyday operations - by optimizing the range and charging times of the batteries. With its smart charging solutions, Schunk is defining new standards in the market segment for conductive, fully automatic recharging of electric buses. Innovative roof-mounted pantographs and inverted pantographs enable reliable charging of the batteries of electric buses on the line or in the depot within seconds. Our charging technologies are not only successfully in use in Germany, but also internationally - already in 25 countries. From Winnipeg to Barcelona to Helsinki & Moscow, electric bus manufacturers choose Schunk's current collectors.

 Electric bus in public transport with Schunk Smart Charging technology
Schunk Smart Charging

Suitable Charging Technology for Electric Buses

In order to determine the right charging strategy for an electric bus, the density of stops, the length of routes traveled and the number of passengers must be taken into account. For this purpose, Schunk always considers individual requirements in close cooperation with manufacturers and operators in order to develop the best and most flexible solution for the market. In doing so, we draw on the broad portfolio of automated conductive charging solutions, which includes both recharging of electric buses at stops and overnight charging at the depot. In addition, our experts are working on the development of a prototype of an autonomous fast charging system for electric vehicles (underbody charger), which is a charging system that can be retracted into the roadway.

Advantages

Upgrade Electric Bus with Pantograph

 

Our flexible systems can be customized and optimally integrated both with a completely new charging infrastructure and with existing solutions. Here, the electric buses can be equipped with either a roof-mounted pantograph or an inverted pantograph.

References & Projects

Pantographs from Schunk Smart Charging are successfully in use worldwide

 Photo shows several city buses equipped with Schunk pantographs during loading

Schunk Smart Charging electrifies public transport in Kassel

Schunk Smart Charging is now also on the road in Kassel! Under the motto ''Pssst statt Brumm'' (Hush instead of roar), 12 electric buses ensure emission-free and quiet public transport. Since mid-April 2024, eight fully electric articulated buses and four electric solo buses equipped with the Schunk charging system have been in operation. The e-buses are charged slowly and gently in the depot via the roof-mounted pantograph (up to 150 kW per bus). In addition, a further charging station on the route provides a quick energy boost (up to 350 kW) en route. With the aim of achieving climate neutrality, the northern Hessian city wants to replace all 80 diesel buses with electric buses by 2030. (image source: KVG AG / Andreas Fischer)

  Electric buses with Schunk Smart Charging roof-mounted pantographs charge in the depot

80 SLS 102 roof-mounted pantographs in Krakow - Poland

Krakow has an ambitious goal: by 2025, 32% of the fleet, i.e. 132 buses, are to be fully electric. To achieve this, investments have been made in new buses and charging infrastructure. High-performance pantographs at strategic stops allow buses to be charged quickly while travelling (opportunity charging). In less than 15 minutes, the buses receive enough energy for a journey of around 100 kilometres and can remain in use all day. At night in the depot, the buses are charged via the roof-mounted charging pantograph (overnight charging) - automatically and in a space-saving manner. Different charge levels of the battery cells are equalised. Another advantage: in the morning, energy for vehicle heating can be drawn directly from the charging station without draining the battery.

 Electric bus for the city of Zaragoza equipped with Schunk pantographs

68 buses with Depot Charger SLS 301 in Zaragoza - Spain

Zaragoza is focussing on sustainable solutions with the innovative depot charging system from Schunk. The Depot Charger SLS 301, which works according to the "top-down" principle, enables efficient charging from above. Weighing only around 15 kg, the rails are a space-saving solution for overnight charging in the depot compared to conventional pantographs. This contributes to the vision of sustainable mobility and promotes the electrification of public transport in the city and beyond.

  Electric buses with Schunk Smart Charging roof-mounted pantographs charge in the depot

100 electric buses for Schiphol Airport - Netherlands

Since April 2018, 100 electric buses with roof-mounted pantographs from Schunk have been in operation at the Dutch airport. The buses cover around 30,000 kilometres per day - completely emission-free! Thanks to the integrated system of SLS 102 roof-mounted pantographs and charging station, the batteries can be charged while the passengers get on and off the bus. With a completely empty battery, a full charge takes less than 20 minutes. This short charging time and the long range of the buses were decisive factors in the co-operation between VDL Bus & Coach, Heliox and Schunk Transit Systems.

 Electric buses with Schunk Smart Charging roof-mounted pantographs charge in the depot

Electrical bus manufacturer Irizar relies on Schunk - Spain

To drive forward the electrification of vehicles, Irizar operates Europe's first e-mobility factory for buses and trucks in the Spanish city of Guipuzcoa. Schunk Transit System is a strategic partner in the design of the "ie Tram" zero-emission bus, which has the capacity, access and configuration of a tram. In order to offer as much flexibility as possible with outstanding performance, Irizar has been using Schunk's smart charging solutions since the start of the project in 2014.

 City bus from Seattle equipped with Schunk pantographs

Innovative pantographs for North America: Buy America-compliant and ETL/UL-certified

Schunk is realising a unique project in Seattle: it is the only company in the world to offer pantographs that are manufactured in the USA. This means they fulfil the regulations for local content and are Buy America-compliant. The pantographs are also certified in accordance with ETL/UL, which eliminates the need for costly on-site approval during commissioning. The SLS 201 inverted pantograph is installed centrally on the infrastructure side and works according to the "top-down" principle: the vehicle parks under the pantograph, which lowers, connects to the counterpart on the roof and charges the batteries. Thanks to the adaptability of the pantograph to different vehicle heights, different vehicle types can be charged with the same pantograph, which demonstrates the high compatibility of the Schunk pantograph system.

Case Study: Schunk Smart Charging
Case Study: Schunk Smart Charging

100 Cities – 25 Countries: Schunk Smart Charging for Electric Buses is in Use Worldwide

Add
Brochure: Battery Driven Vehicles
Brochure: Battery Driven Vehicles

Pioneering charging solutions for the mobile future

Add
Brochure: Charging up in Seconds
Brochure: Charging up in Seconds

Highly efficient busbars for shorter charging times

Add
Brochure: Depot Charger SLS 301
Brochure: Depot Charger SLS 301

Depot charging with automated connection device

Add
Brochure: Inverted Pantograph SLS202
Brochure: Inverted Pantograph SLS202

SLS 202 – the new dimension of
versatility and working range

Add

Downloads

5 Files online
Schunk Smart Charging

Electrification of Bus Transport

The biggest challenge in the electrification of bus transport is the batteries. They must either be appropriately sized or recharged more frequently for the e-buses to have a range suitable for everyday use. Thanks to Schunk's intelligent charging technologies, which enable high power transfer in a short time, the required battery dimensions of electric buses can be significantly reduced. This makes the use of electric buses in public transportation significantly more efficient, powerful and flexible.

Intelligent Electric Bus Charging Systems

Opportunity Charging refers to opportunity charging at strategically installed fast charging facilities. For this purpose, the pantograph mounted on the vehicle roof contacts a remote station mounted at the stop. Pulse charging occurs within a few seconds and can therefore be done easily while waiting at stops. This charging process provides an advantage for the long range transit buses. Night charging, depot charging, also takes place via the pantograph. The pantograph (Depot Charger SLS301) contacts the vehicle-side counterpart on the electric bus from above. As a result, the e-buses can park very close to each other in the depot and less parking space is required than with plug-in charging. In addition, no specially trained personnel are needed for charging - an automatic signal provides the connection. This variant is suitable for operators of larger vehicle fleets who want to automatically recharge the vehicles in the depot overnight rather than during operation.

Any questions?

Do you have any questions about our Charging Solutions?

Contact us