Finland’s winters are legendary. Temperatures plummet far below freezing. Snow-covered landscapes stretch endlessly. These harsh conditions pose significant challenges for public transportation. It’s particularly the case for electric coaches. How can an electric coach maintain range, passenger comfort, and performance in such conditions? The Yutong T15E has the answer. It not just survives the cold, but also thrives in it.

Balancing Comfort and Range: A Key Challenge for Electric Coaches

Electric coaches face unique hurdles in extreme temperatures. The delicate balance between maintaining interior comfort and preserving battery range becomes critical. This challenge is especially pronounced in regions like Finland. The following aspects highlight why it’s so challenging:

Energy Consumption for Heating

Heating an electric coach requires significant power. Common heating systems can drain battery resources rapidly. They reduce overall travel distance. Every kilowatt used for warming the interior is a kilowatt unavailable for driving.

Low-Temperature Lead to Decreased Power Output Efficiency

Cold temperatures naturally reduce battery performance. Chemical reactions slow down. They reduce the battery’s ability to deliver full power. This means less range and potentially compromised vehicle performance.

Yutong’s Black Technologies: The Answer to Enhancing Battery Range

Yutong has developed sophisticated technologies designed to overcome cold-weather challenges. These black technologies include:

1. Advanced Traction Battery

The traction battery uses a new generation of high-energy-density cells with a capacity of 630kWh. The liquid cooling and heating technology ensures the battery operates at optimal temperatures. It maximizes efficiency even under extreme conditions. The advanced thermal management system ensures optimal performance and reduces energy loss.

2. High-Efficiency Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors

Yutong’s permanent magnet synchronous motors are based on big data analysis of operating conditions and efficiency matching technology. They achieve an impressive 97.5% efficiency. Advanced high-permeability, low-loss silicon steel materials help achieve optimized drive motor design. Yutong also employs over-modulation and variable frequency motor control technology. The result is minimized energy wastage and enhanced overall powertrain performance.

3. Body Self-Adjustment Technology

This technology enables the coach body to self-adjust based on its speed. When in motion, the coach dynamically adapts its aerodynamic control based on real-time speed, mitigating the effects of driving resistance. It reduces energy consumption by 3%. Yutong’s advanced aerodynamic design also includes streamlined exterior panels, which further reduce air drag and improve overall electric coach efficiency.

4. Regenerative Braking Energy Recovery Technology

The intelligent braking technology converts kinetic energy back into battery charge. This means every deceleration contributes to extending the coach’s range. It is particularly valuable on crowded roads where frequent braking is inevitable.

5. Low-Temperature Heat Pump Air Conditioning Technology

This heat pump technology can reduce heating energy consumption by 3-5% in cold environments. It ensures passenger comfort without excessive battery drain.

6. Smart, Electrified Accessory Management

High-efficiency electrified accessories, such as air compressors, adaptively adjust based on changes in coach operating conditions. This ensures rational energy allocation for each accessory, minimizes energy waste, and thereby enhances the vehicle’s range.

7. Efficient Waste Heat Recovery

The T15E intelligently recovers waste heat from the power system under various operating conditions. This recovered heat is then utilized by the heating system to provide warmth. This innovative approach can increase the T15E’s driving range by over 10% in cold winter regions.

Yutong T15E Completed the Extreme Cold Challenge in Finland

Leveraging these groundbreaking black technologies, the Yutong T15E electric coach embarked on an impressive extreme cold challenge in Finland.

The first phase of Yutong’s extreme cold challenge began in Oulu, Finland, where the T15E electric coach embarked on a 250-kilometer journey to Rovaniemi. The Arctic landscape presented a challenging testing ground, with temperatures plummeting and roads covered in snow and ice. The electric coach demonstrated exceptional stability, smooth handling, and rapid charging (under 2 hours), while maintaining a quiet, thermally controlled cabin for passenger comfort.

Building upon the success of the Extreme Cold Challenge Phase 1, the Yutong electric coach embarked on a 609.8 km journey from Oulu to Helsinki in temperatures plunging to -20℃. Starting with a full battery and ending with 2% battery remaining, the coach showcased an incredibly low energy consumption rate of 0.94 kWh/km.

Conclusion

Yutong has proven that its electric coaches can not only survive but excel in extreme conditions. E-bus manufacturer Yutong prioritizes intelligent design and innovative engineering. It delivers mobility solutions that don’t compromise on performance, comfort, or range. Yutong will continue to push the boundaries of electric vehicle technology and develop solutions that not only meet but exceed the most demanding performance standards.