E-mobility is no longer just an option – it is the path to a sustainable future. Our latest whitepaper, “Step by step to your electric bus fleet,” serves as a comprehensive guide for anyone who is ready to take this crucial step.
You will receive a comprehensive overview of the necessary steps in the transition to electromobility. We also provide valuable insights into the effective planning and implementation of charging operations, complemented by useful tips and proven strategies based on CarMedialab’s expertise.
In the modern energy landscape, two key strategies are essential to efficiently manage energy consumption: peak shaving and load shifting. But what do these terms mean and how do they relate to electric bus charging?
How does peak shaving work? Peak shaving aims to reduce energy consumption during periods of high demand. The main goal is to ensure that the capacity of the power grid is not exceeded, which can lead to grid congestion and outages. By targeting energy demand, peak shaving can significantly reduce overall costs for both utilities and their customers. Using an energy management system, consumers can forecast and manage their future electricity consumption. This makes it possible to avoid peak loads by, for example, postponing certain processes or throttling electricity consumption during peak periods.
Is peak shaving useful? Yes, and for several reasons. Peak shaving can prevent power grid overloads, thereby extending battery life. For companies and institutions, it can also result in significant savings on utility rates. It is a valuable tool that can be of particular benefit to companies.
Load shifting: take advantage of favorable times In contrast to peak shaving, load shifting shifts energy consumption from times of high demand to times of lower demand. This offers the advantage of allowing companies and households to benefit from lower electricity rates while relieving pressure on the grid.
Optimize e-bus charging How do peak shaving and load shifting relate to electric buses?
For transport companies, the question is central: How can electric buses be charged cost-effectively? A sophisticated charge management system is the key here. Targeted charging profiles for your entire depot prevent peak loads and make optimum use of peak shaving. Individual charging profiles precisely control when and how intensively each bus is charged so that it can start its service on time and fully charged – this is effective load shifting in real time. Take advantage of these strategies and ensure your company not only gains efficiency, but also significant cost savings when charging your e-bus fleet.
For more information on CarMedialab’s charge management system, click here: MOBILEcharge. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us via our contact form.
Get the overview of the bus properties You have recently received a delivery of new buses and now want to make sure that all requirements have been correctly executed according to your order? Some features are visually detectable and can therefore be easily checked. However, there are also invisible features, such as battery data, which are of essential importance. To ensure that all the requirements you ordered have been met, we offer you the Data Tester – an extremely useful tool for comprehensively checking the characteristics of your bus fleet. This allows you to keep track of everything and ensure that your fleet meets all the desired requirements.
What exactly is the Data Tester? The Data Tester is a set consisting of Data Logger and app that provides a detailed breakdown of your vehicle’s data quality within minutes. In just three steps – connect, click, download – you receive a significant report, showing if your vehicles meet the contractually agreed-upon requirements.
Why is data quality so important? Reliability this is of key importance for fleet operators. Whether making decisions or ensuring seamless integration into IT systems, the quality of data is crucial. When procuring new vehicles, you must ensure that the data contents of the digital interfaces match your systems. For example, the evaluation of the temperature signal inside the vehicle is a vital factor for passenger comfort and the energy efficiency of the bus (read more about VDV 261 on preconditioning in our post: All about VDV 261).
Benefits of the Data Tester Our Data Tester provides you with comprehensive service, including personal support by our vehicle data experts. With our plug-and-play system, you can easily connect the Data Tester, open the app, and download the report. The system can be used multiple times for all buses, offering detailed error analysis and remote data verification whenever and wherever you need it. All of this comes in a handy package: Data Logger, cable set, app, and manual.
Improved Data Quality with the Data Tester With the Data Tester, you can enhance the data quality of your buses and receive more accurate error reports. It provides detailed information on when an error occurred, how often it happened, and which components are affected. This gives you a good assessment of the vehicle’s technical condition, no matter where you are.
References Rheinbahn Düsseldorf: As the local transport provider for Düsseldorf, the Mettmann district, and the Rhein-Kreis Neuss, Rheinbahn transports more than half a million people daily with its 791 vehicles. They are currently in a crucial transition process to convert their bus fleet to emission-free drives. Our Data Tester will assist them in ensuring that their new vehicles meet the contractually agreed requirements and can be seamlessly integrated into their existing IT systems.
VCDB VerkehrsConsult Dresden-Berlin GmbH fully supports transportation companies from the idea to implementation when using alternative drives. They also advise on the implementation of new software solutions, such as charging and load management systems. Collaborating with VCDB will ensure that their clients can ascertain vehicle data quality right from the start, leading to smoother implementations and higher reliability.
C-TRAN, the public transit provider in Clark County and the Vancouver-Portland region, has added ten new all-electric buses to its fleet. This is an important step toward achieving the goal of a completely zero-emission fleet by 2040. The new e-buses are not only environmentally friendly, but also efficient and quiet, with a range of 200 miles.
To maximize the efficiency and performance of its buses, C-TRAN chose to work with CarMedialab and INIT for two of their solutions.
C-TRAN will deploy the vehicle monitoring system MOBILEvhm. This system will help C-TRAN to keep track of the performance of its entire bus fleet, whether it is its diesel or electric buses, at any time.
In addition C-TRAN will also use the MOBILEefficiency driver assistance. This system supports drivers in learning and maintaining an energy-efficient driving style.
“Sustainability is at the core of who we are as a public transportation provider, and battery-electric buses are crucial to our zero-emission future,” said Eric Florip, C-TRAN’s manager of communications and marketing. “We’re excited to partner with INIT and CarMedialab to improve the performance of these vehicles, and the experience for our riders.”
This partnership between C-TRAN, CarMedialab and INIT is a clear sign of these organizations’ commitment to a sustainable and efficient future for public transportation. With the introduction of these new technologies, C-TRAN will be able to provide even better service to its passengers while minimizing its environmental impact.
We are excited to have won the tender, and from now on we will work together to advance the electrification of public transport in Israel.
Charging stations throughout Israel will be connected Ayalon Highways, a nationwide infrastructure provider in Israel, has contracted CarMedialab to integrate the charge management system MOBILEcharge into hundreds of electric bus charging stations. This will be done in dozens of depots across the country, ensuring smooth operation and efficient use of the electric bus fleet.
“We chose CarMedialabs charge management system for all our bus depots all over Israel. MOBILEcharge will help us to have a maximum number of buses available on time with minimal use of the grid and minimal costs. Let the electrification revolution begin!“ – Shirley W., Product Manager at Ayalon Highways
Charging stations of the e-busses in Tel Aviv
Increase efficiency and save costs MOBILEcharge is an intelligent charge management system that not only monitors and controls the charging of electric buses, but can also integrate various interfaces. These interfaces enable seamless communication with depot management as well as other relevant systems. Thus, operators can better manage their electric fleets, optimize operations, increase efficiency and save costs at the same time.
Multiple operators sharing the same infrastructure MOBILEcharge is rolled out in multitenant mode in order to support the case that multiple operators use the same charging infrastructure. Charging stations are assigned to operators based on a concession, reserved only for a certain period of time or even a single charging event. By that, the operators see, control and have responsibility for only their stations and processes. They utilise their own energy tariffs and get their respective bills based on consumed energy.
Electric public transport for the climate This groundbreaking partnership between Ayalon Highways, the Ministry of Transport of Israel, CarMedialab and Optibus is a significant step towards greener public transport. Electric public transport not only reduces CO2 emissions, but also improves air quality and helps combat climate change.
Partnership with Optibus Optibus, a renowned company offering a SaaS platform, will help improve driver and vehicle planning and deployment optimization. The detailed insights into operations, punctuality and costs will enable operators to make public transport more efficient and meet the needs of passengers. MOBILEcharge receives dispatching information from the Optibus platform to optimize charging processes according to departure time.
CarMedialab is proud to be part of this unique project and to contribute its expertise in the field of electric mobility. We firmly believe that electric public transport is the future of mass transit and are committed to it with our innovative solutions.
Together with Ayalon Highways, the Ministry of Transport of Israel and Optibus, we are looking forward to a successful implementation of this project.
The e-buses are available at the depot in Tel Aviv
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.
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.”
Presentation of the first electric bus out of 158 in total The company DAKAR MOBILITE wants to create sustainable solutions for passenger transport, road congestion and environmental pollution with the help of the Bus Rapid Transit project. On April 4, 2023, the first 100% electric bus was now presented on the occasion of Senegal’s 63rd Independence Day. Dakar celebrated this with a big parade.
In total, 158 electric buses are planned within the project. The vehicles, which are around 19 meters long and have a range of 250 kilometers each, can accommodate 150 passengers. The modern e-buses offer access for people with limited mobility, air conditioning, WLAN and USB ports on board. With the help of the electric buses, 59,000 tons of CO2 can be saved each year. In the long term, Dakar even wants to charge from 100% solar energy. This is the first project of its kind on the African continent. In addition, around 1,000 new jobs will be created during the operating phase.
We are proud to be a part of this unique project and to provide our innovative charge management system MOBILEcharge for this purpose. It allows real-time monitoring and tracking of the charging infrastructure and processes, enabling optimal fleet organization. In addition, MOBILEcharge ensures that the buses are always charged according to demand, cost-effectively and in a battery-friendly manner.
Last week, our managing director Henri Depe Tchatchu visited the Dakar Mobilité office to discuss the status of the project as well as interfaces to partner systems. We are looking forward to this exciting project and the launch of the first 100% electric bus fleet in Africa!
E-bus depots require an intelligent charging management system as a central node in data communication. This is shown by the experience of the last years of practical work. Learn more about the standard interfaces when charging e-buses so that all systems involved can interact smoothly.
CarMedialab and INIT will charge the e-bus fleet of STIB in Brussels STIB Brussels, one of the largest public transport operators in Belgium, recently signed a framework contract for the charge management system MOBILEcharge. During the next 10 years, up to 1,000 vehicles and 500 chargers from various manufacturers will be integrated there. Before the end of this year, 50 charging points for up to 100 vehicles will be installed at the “Marly” depot. The interfaces VDV 463 as well as VDV 261 will be integrated regarding the depot management system and for the preconditioning of the vehicles.
CarMedialab and INIT are looking forward to this project and to provide Brussels’ passengers with a reliable and sustainable public transport in the future.
