Facing a global push towards renewable energy and eco-friendly technologies, Saudi Arabia has been embracing new energy vehicles and also strategically diversifying its energy portfolio in recent years. However, this region’s unique desert environment presents specific challenges, particularly regarding the energy consumption and safety of EV batteries under extreme heat.

Saudi Arabia’s location on the Arabian Peninsula endows it with a climate that is predominantly tropical desert, marked by scorching summers and arid conditions. The vast desert expanses can reach surface temperatures that surpass 60°C, creating a formidable environment for any new energy electric vehicle to operate in.

On September 11, Yutong’s battery electric bus E11Pro successfully completed the extreme heat challenge in Saudi Arabia. At a surface temperature of over 60°C, it achieved a driving range of 113 km with an impressive power consumption of only 0.74 kWh/km. This exceptional performance and technological excellence underscore the reliable capabilities of Yutong’s battery electric bus.

In the face of scorching heat and intense sandstorms, the two main factors behind high power consumption of new energy vehicles are the motor drive system and the air conditioning unit. However, Yutong applies a number of innovative “black technologies” to minimize the drain on power.

In terms of battery safety, Yutong’s E11PRO is equipped with a new generation of super power batteries which are designed with an interlayer fireproof and heat insulation structure that can withstand temperatures up to 1,300 degrees Celsius for a remarkable 2 hours. This robust design ensures the utmost safety of Yutong’s new energy vehicles in extreme heat. The E11PRO also incorporates an advanced integrated liquid cooling plate technology, doubling the battery’s cooling efficiency compared to traditional natural cooling methods. This liquid cooling technology can reduce the battery’s peak temperature and delay the attenuation of battery capacity.

To minimize the impact of A/C on vehicle energy consumption, the E11Pro is equipped with a self-developed pure electric intelligent variable frequency A/C dedicated for the Middle East extreme heat. This A/C boasts a maximum refrigerating capacity of 38,000 Kcal/h. The vehicle’s dark gray, fully-enclosed insulating glass offers superior heat retention, thermal insulation, and noise reduction. E11Pro incorporates a passenger door air curtain that minimizes cooling loss, along with other strategic configurations, indirectly reducing the vehicle’s energy consumption. Moreover, with an anti-condensation structure and sediment protection, E11Pro is well-adapted to the high temperatures and dusty conditions of Saudi Arabia, ensuring the vehicle’s reliable operation. All these technologies have been developed and integrated into E11Pro to provide the utmost travel safety for passengers in the region.

Currently, over 4,000 Yutong buses are in operation across Saudi Arabia. The reliable and efficient performance of Yutong’s new energy vehicles has been recognized by Saudi Arabia. Moving forward, Yutong will continue to expand its presence in Saudi Arabia’s market and offer a broader range of customized new energy products to address the diverse needs of this market, thereby supporting Saudi Arabia in achieving its new energy development objectives outlined in “Vision 2030.”