Skip to main content

Tag: busfleet

Joint solution for battery monitoring in electric buses

Written by admin on . Posted in Public Transport.

New partnership between volytica diagnostics and CarMedialab
We are pleased to announce that we have signed a binding agreement with volytica diagnostics GmbH, the experienced software provider of battery diagnostic solutions, to further develop condition monitoring of vehicle batteries.

Growth in the electric bus market
With the global electric bus market growing at an unprecedented rate, customers worldwide have come to rely on turnkey solutions provided by market leaders. As the market expands, the need for transparency regarding the most critical wear parts of mobility turnkey solutions, such as batteries, becomes increasingly crucial.

Battery diagnostics solution for vehicle health monitoring
volytica diagnostics GmbH ‘s cutting-edge battery diagnostic solution is designed to address this need, enabling fleet owners to monitor battery health and make well-founded decisions regarding battery maintenance and replacements.

Claudius Jehle, Managing Director of volytica, emphasises: “By working with CarMedialab, we aim to provide fleet owners worldwide with comprehensive insights to ensure optimised performance and increased safety”.

“Our collaboration will improve the seamless collection of battery data in electric buses to monitor vehicle health. The raw data will be transmitted to volytica, where it will be refined and analysed. With the returned results fleet owners are allowed to easily access and display this validated information within their existing monitoring systems”, explains Heiko Bauer, Managing Director of CarMedialab.

Benefits and use cases for fleet owners
This cooperation will empower fleet owners with a range of benefits and use cases, including:

  •  Minimising costs by monitoring warranty conditions.
  • Optimising vehicle availability by detecting battery anomalies and proactively addressing issues.
  • Enhancing fire safety by identifying potential risks and implementing preventive measures.
  • Reducing battery load to extend service life and maximise the return on investment.
  • Determining residual value accurately, enabling efficient fleet management and asset evaluation.

Additionally, we are actively working together on future initiatives such as warranty extension programs and insurance offerings, further enhancing the value proposition for fleet owners.

Unique know-how and experience of both companies
volytica diagnostics GmbH, as a cleantech company based in Dresden, Germany is dedicated to revolutionising battery diagnostics by providing transparent insights into battery health. Their unique and scalable technology enables the analysis of field data transmitted from battery systems, unlocking valuable information regarding degradation, state of health, anomalies, safety risks, and state of charge.

CarMedialab, with over 20 years of experience as a telematics specialist in the automotive industry and the energy sector, brings unparalleled expertise in delivering software solutions for electromobility. Their broad range of services covers telediagnosis, smart charging and developer programs for automotive and mobile applications.

DAKAR mobilite: erster Elektrobus in Senegals öffentlichem Nahverkehr

CarMedialab’s charge management solution widens its appeal on the international stage 

Written by admin on . Posted in Public Transport.

Public transport companies in Belgium, Israel and Senegal opt to implement MOBILEcharge
A growing number of public transport companies are choosing INIT’s and CarMedialab’s innovative electromobility solutions. In just a few weeks, three public transport operators from across the world have opted for the charge management system MOBILEcharge from CarMedialab GmbH, a member of the INIT Group. Société des Transports Intercommunaux de Bruxelles / STIB Brussels (Belgium), DAKAR MOBILITÉ (Senegal) and Ayalon Highways Tel Aviv in cooperation with the Israel Ministry of Transport and Road Safety (Israel) will use MOBILEcharge to control and monitor their charging processes. 

The project in the Senegalese capital Dakar is the INIT Group’s first project in Africa, which means that, with the exception of Antarctica, INIT is now successfully operating on all continents.

Sustainable solutions worldwide
These projects will not only increase sustainability in public transport, but also help to change cities in a sustainable way, for example in Dakar. There, the transport operator DAKAR MOBILITÉ is in the process of electrifying the public bus network with the help of a Bus Rapid Transit project, while at the same time creating measures to combat congestion and pollution. Approximately 150 electric buses will be deployed by 2025, saving 59,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. In the long term, Dakar even wants to charge their bus fleet using 100% solar energy. This is the first project of its kind on the African continent.

In Israel, hundreds of charging points for e-buses will be connected with the smart charge management system in a joint project with the Israel Ministry of Transport and Road Safety and Ayalon Highways. Step by step, numerous charging points will be integrated in the depots throughout the whole country.

Société des Transports Intercommunaux de Bruxelles (STIB), one of the largest public transport operators in Belgium, recently signed a framework contract for MOBILEcharge. Over the next 10 years, up to 1,000 vehicles and 500 charging points from various manufacturers will be integrated there. By the end of this year, 50 charging points for up to 100 vehicles will be installed at the depot “Marly” and cost-effectively charged using MOBILEcharge.

MOBILEcharge is already being used by many companies in Europe and the USA for smart charge management. However, they not only rely on this powerful tool, but also on CarMedialab’s expertise when it comes to implementation. The company has made a name for itself in setting up and connecting complex system landscapes, is committed to interoperability and is intensively involved in the development of open systems and (VDV) interfaces.

MOBILEcharge – a smart charge management system

With MOBILEcharge, new and existing customers trust in a proven solution that guarantees cost-effective charging and ensures that buses are always available on time, sufficiently charged and preconditioned whilst also avoiding expensive load peaks. To intelligently manage charging processes, the charge management system should be connected to the MOBILE-DMS depot management system, which is where information is available about planned blocks for the next day and associated charging requirements. MOBILEcharge is part of INIT’s integrated product suite for electromobility, eMOBILE. This integrated overall system covers all the operational requirements of e-mobility and ensures that e-buses are introduced economically and operated efficiently.

INIT and CarMedialab lead the way in the field of electromobility
INIT CSO and Deputy CEO Dr. Jürgen Greschner is very proud of these orders and underlines the importance of emission-free public transport:

“The decision makers for ambitious future projects in Brussels, Dakar and Tel Aviv have chosen INIT Group solutions for the electrification of their bus fleets. We are delighted that they have put their trust in us and we look forward to supporting them and other companies in the development and operation of their electric bus fleets. With these orders, the INIT Group is helping pave the way for sustainable mobility and continues to be at the cutting edge of electromobility.”

VDV Elektrobusse

Easier and faster access to bus data thanks to VDV 238

Written by skrause on . Posted in Public Transport.

A standard that was necessary from a technical and operational point of view
This brand new VDV publication is all about data communication in buses. The Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) has published the new recommendation on this important topic in issue 1/2023. Members of the association are operators of local public transport and develop new industry standards based on existing needs. Mobile data connections are being used more and more frequently in order to be able to react quickly in an emergency. This ability to transmit data in real time is valuable because it is used to continuously improve processes and prevent problems. In the past, there was often the problem of time-consuming “negotiations” between the transport company and the vehicle manufacturer about access to thevehicle data, because no standardized regulation was available. Thanks to VDV 238, this is now a thing of the past.

Advantages through VDV 238 :
Anticipating events

One use of vehicle data is so-called “predictive maintenance”. From historical and current data, a forecast for events in the future becomes possible.

Easy to use

Companies that are newcomers in the field of e-mobility receive a guideline  through this framework recommendation and can avoid mistakes through already existing, shared know-how.

Security

It is determined from the beginning which data is received will be received and therefore set up in the initial process. The data to be transferred is already defined and no longer has to be negotiated individually between the transport operators and the vehicle manufacturer. A standard always provides security, as the technical details are defined, which ensures interoperability.

Independence from manufacturers

Each company can choose its own solution without being limited to one to a specific system. Even if vehicles from different manufacturers are included in a fleet, the same fleet, the same data is received.

Transparency

Only the information that is requested reaches the operators. In addition, initial discussions in the context of Tenders become easier for all parties.

Fleet efficiency, -amortization and AI development

Another benefit is that monitoring and analysis will increase fleet efficiency by preventing errors. In addition, more qualitative data can help develop artificial intelligence.

This VDV publication 238 is a very important step, because the analysis of vehicle data enables transport companies to draw important conclusions and make data-based decisions for the future, and for software and hardware manufacturers, market neutrality is ensured. We are very happy to be a part of this development and hope to see this writing in many tenders soon.

The complete VDV publication can be found here: https://knowhow.vdv.de/doc

All about VDV 261

Written by skrause on . Posted in Public Transport.

Anyone familiar with the field of public transport has certainly heard of the VDV 261 guideline. But what is VDV 261 actually?

What is VDV 261?
VDV 261 is a technical document published by the Association of German Transport Companies that describes how to ensure the data exchange necessary for the preconditioning of vehicles. This means, for example, that the temperature in the bus can be adjusted for passengers even before the bus departs from the charging station. And not just for one bus, but automatically for all buses.

Preconditioning leads to a longer range of battery-powered vehicles, since the energy needed to heat up or cool down the vehicles for the first time is not taken from the battery, but from the power grid. In short, VDV 261 increases comfort, increases range and saves time and therefore money, as processes no longer have to be done manually but are automated.

How does VDV 261 work?
VDV 261 describes how the value-added services of ISO 15118 must be used to automatically precondition vehicles during a charging process. Intelligent charging management enables so-called preconditioning, basically a “preparation” of the buses, via the existing charging infrastructure. There are various options for this, e.g. heating, cooling, ventilating. As soon as the electric bus is connected to a charging station, the data sent can be used to determine precisely whether preconditioning is required and, if so, in what form, so that the vehicle is ideally prepared at departure time. The challenge here lies in the smooth communication from the vehicle via the charging station to the charging management, as this communication chain must be encrypted and coordinated with all parties involved.

What is the benefit of VDV 261?
The VDV 261 interface helps to optimize planning and processes and to minimize potential risks. Because heating e-buses that are not currently connected to the charging station consumes a lot of energy and has a negative impact on the range. The bus is connected to VDV 261 during preconditioning at the charging station – so there is no need to worry about range. Passengers also experience more comfort as the temperature can be optimally prepared.

In addition to VDV 261, the standard VDV 463 is recommended – more information can be found at: https://www.carmedialab.com/en/vdv-463-makes-charge-planning-easy/.

Aachen’s “ASEAG” goes electric!

Written by akrause on . Posted in Public Transport.

Charging in the future with MOBILEcharge
The “Aachener Straßenbahn und Energieversorgungs-AG“, or „ASEAG“ (short for Aachen Tramway and Energy Supply Company), is soon charging their electric bus fleet with MOBILEcharge. Up to 150 charging points will be created in the ASEAG depot, which will work with VDV 463 and VDV 261, among others.

By the end of July 2023, milestones such as the establishment of a server instance, implementation of network requirements, certificate creation and provisioning, configuration of charging stations, communication tests and vehicle tests will be completed.

Click here for ASEAG: https://www.aseag.de/

We are very much looking forward to this collaborative project!

Out Now: Our Tender Support for Charge Management System used in bus fleets

Written by akrause on . Posted in Public Transport.

Support for the preparation of tenders
Do you need assistance with the preparation of tenders? No problem. We have made use of our experience and prepared valuable something for you.

With our tender support, we created a guideline that leads you through all critical points and requirements to make your proposal for tenders successful.

Invitation_Tender_Support_CMS_Title
To the Tender Support

For more support, feel free to use our contact form or contact our responsible Sales Manager.

Contact details:

Maximilian Haag

maximilian.haag@carmedialab.com

Tel. +49 7251 7240-161

Recorded Webinar:
Vehicle Health Monitoring in New York

Written by akrause on . Posted in Public Transport.

CDTA, a company from New York reports about experiences and benefits.

A webinar was held with our Sales Manager Maximilian Haag together with the “Capital District Transportation Authority”, a regional mobility provider in Albany, New York. The company operates 275 fixed-route buses as well as paratransit vehicles, trolleybuses and electric vehicles. MOBILEvhm has improved the processes and communication there considerably, so that it has been easier to make the right decisions since then.   

The exciting webinar with a duration of only 23 minutes shows the challenges that have been overcome by using MOBILEvhm and lessons learned in managing the vehicle fleet. Watch the recorded webinar and feel free to ask us any questions.

Contact details:

Maximilian Haag

maximilian.haag@carmedialab.com

Tel. +49 7251 7240-161

White paper:
How to implement charge management successfully

Written by skrause on . Posted in Public Transport.

Benefit from our experience and implement an intelligent charging concept in your e-bus fleet. The following three factors will bring your project to success: Taking an iterative approach, maintaining close communication between those involved, ensuring that system components are interoperable, and having an experienced partner on hand will all play an essential role.

With its software application MOBILEcharge, CarMedialab is involved in a range of projects since 2019. More and more transport companies start to realize that managing a fleet with this new type of refuelling is so complex that it requires the help of an intelligent charging system.

Are you considering a transition to electric power for your bus fleet?

Read more in the white paper:

Whitepaper_ChargeManagement_Title
Download

Good bus charging management is compatible with existing systems

Written by akrause on . Posted in Public Transport.

Future-proof charging management thanks to VDV-Normen
Users of our charging management system MOBILEcharge benefit from the interoperability of the software to efficiently charge many electric buses. But what does that mean exactly?

Interoperability generally means that a system can work together with other systems. If the system’s interfaces are open, collaboration can work with two or more programs or systems. Thus, multiple systems can be integrated without problems of access or implementation.

Interoperability enables the integration of existing systems

At Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr GmbH (rnv) for example, e-buses, as well as passenger cars, are charged at four depots with over 100 charging points. Various interfaces ensure optimal functionality: VDV 463 between charging management and depot management system (DMS) at the customer’s site and VDV 261 for communication between charging management and vehicle to control preconditioning (Interior and battery are tempered in time). Compliance with these VDV standards enables a high degree of interoperability. GoRaleigh based in the USA also controls and monitors the charging activities of the e-buses with MOBILEcharge in connection with the control centre. Changes can be made permanent so that charging can always be carried out in a cost-saving manner.

Conveniently charge and monitor e-buses
Through our charging management system MOBILEcharge, all charging processes can not only be primarily controlled but also monitored in real-time. Charging with reduced amperage increases battery life while lowering overall energy demand.

Your contact person:
Maximilian Haag
Phone +49.7251.7240.161
maximilian.haag@carmedialab.com