Airport apron bus e.START

electric

Product overview
The e.START is COBUS's conversion concept to electrify existing diesel COBUS fleets by removing the diesel engine and installing an electric drive train and roof-mounted battery packs. The conversion reduces carbon footprint, halves operational costs, enables repurposing of over 80% of the vehicle material and offers an opportunity to overhaul and modernize interior applications. The concept is presented as an alternative to purchasing new electric COBUS vehicles and targets extended vehicle lifetime due to the aluminium body construction (design life around 25 years).

Key features and concept

• Removal of diesel engine and installation of an all-electric drive train
• Battery packs mounted on the roof
• Repurpose of over 80% of existing materials
• Overhaul and modernization of the bus during conversion

Benefits of the conversion

• Sustainability: repurpose of over 80% of the material
• Emission-free operation: LTO (Lithium Titanate Oxide) battery technology
• Cost-efficiency: modernized bus with reduced total cost of ownership (TCO)
• Operational flexibility: simplified fleet management and reduced maintenance efforts
• Charging strategy: supports opportunity charging without reducing battery lifetime

Successful projects / references

• Geneva Airport: combination of e.START conversions and new e.COBUS deliveries; a total of 12 electric units delivered to date.
• Salzburg Airport: two e.START conversions delivered (first in August 2018; second returned as refurbished e.START in December 2020) to meet the airport's electrification requirements.
• Stuttgart Airport: first e.START test bus provided in 2014 within an EU pilot project; positive results led to adoption of e.COBUS 3000 and operation of a large electric fleet (example: 18 e.COBUS 3000 units).

Notes
The e.START concept applies to converting existing COBUS models (e.g., COBUS 3000 / 2700 platforms) into electric operation, combining refurbishment with electrification.

Technical specifications

• Conversion package: removal of diesel engine and installation of electric drive train
• Battery technology: LTO (Lithium Titanate Oxide)
• Battery placement: roof-mounted battery packs
• Material reuse: >80% of original material repurposed
• Charging: supports opportunity charging without reducing battery lifetime
• Applicable platforms: existing COBUS models (examples: COBUS 3000, COBUS 2700)
• Modernization: interior overhaul and modernization performed during conversion