Hitachi Rail and Hitachi Energy have announced they will be combining to provide a new, ultra-fast charging system for electric buses in Vicenza, Italy.
The Grid-eMotion Flash charging system will support electric buses on the new Red LAM line, a public transport network connecting the western and eastern sections of the city.
At over 10km, the new line will include 36 stops, with 10 equipped with Hitachi Energy’s ultrafast charging system.
Filippo Passante, Grid Integration Operating Unit Manager of Hitachi Energy in Italy, said:Together with Hitachi Rail we will provide Vicenza with a modern urban transport infrastructure, with more efficient and emission-free vehicles.
The electrification of the public transport system can help reduce carbon emissions, traffic and noise pollution in the metropolitan area, helping to improve the quality of life of citizens. All this without affecting the travel times and frequency of the vehicles. As a cutting-edge technology leader, we collaborate with customers and partners to enable a sustainable energy future, for today's generations and those to come.
Capable of delivering a complete charge in less than 4 minutes at the end of the line and in 20 seconds at designated stops, the Grid-eMotion Flash technology is made possible by pantographs positioned on the roof of electric vehicles within the city.
The pantographs connect autonomously to a local charging infrastructure, providing power to a set of batteries on top of each vehicle, the positioning of which allows for greater passenger capacity within the buses themselves.
Domenico Lanciotto, General Manager of Italy, Central, Eastern and Southern Europe and Latin America – LoB Rail Control Hitachi Rail, said:Providing cities with integrated, efficient and sustainable public transport systems is one of Hitachi Rail's core objectives.
Our new One Hitachi technological solution for flash charging for the electric bus network represents an important milestone for mobility in Vicenza. The completion of the project will allow citizens and tourists to have greater connections with high-speed and interregional rail lines, supporting greater use of sustainable public transport for medium and long distance journeys.
The technology is currently under development in several countries including Canada, India, Sweden, Australia and Ireland, with the first solution in Italy set to be implemented on the Valbisagno line in Genoa.
