Long-range electric bus passes winter conditions test!

Last November, the STM announced the arrival of the first of a series of long-range electric buses. After chalking up over 5,000 kilometres on Montréal streets, the bus headed for a closed course for a series of essential trials prior to the adoption of this new technology.

Closed course trials

The trials were a chance to observe and analyse the vehicle’s behaviour under winter conditions. On a specially prepared slippery or snowy road, the bus’s braking system, stability control and traction were pushed to the limits, with controlled skids, accelerations and hard braking.

The testing under winter conditions also allowed us to better understand the vehicle’s energy consumption and range in relation to its heating use and by simulating standardized comparative road profiles acknowledged and used in the transportation industry (average speed, top speed, number of stops and starts per kilometre, downtime).

Ensuring that the vehicle’s performance meets the STM’s operational requirements will facilitate the integration of the 30 new long-range electric buses into the STM’s fleet next fall. The goal is to ensure that the arrival of this new technology does not negatively affect service quality.

Now that these tests have been completed to its satisfaction, the STM can continue the testing and validation process, which began in November and will continue over the coming months, in preparation for the delivery and gradual commissioning of the remaining 29 buses as of June 2020.

Photos

Credit : Julien Perron-Gagné