Manufacturers reach landmark agreement on charging electric buses

European electric bus manufacturers have brokered a deal with the numerous suppliers of charging technologies that will allow them all to use the same open interface between bus and charger.

More and more cities are demanding electric buses but operators are often unable to buy all their buses from the same manufacturer. This agreement is seen as a vital step towards finding a common standard that would apply to all technologies.

London’s outgoing Deputy Mayor for Transport, Isabel Dedring, welcomed the deal. “Electric buses are no longer ‘just for airports’ and other short hops. They are clearly ready for the mainstream, which is why we are already converting whole bus routes to electric in London.

“We are also delivering an Ultra Low Emission Zone for London which will require zero-emission technology on all single-decker buses in central London. Anything that helps support this overdue shift to zero emission technology is welcome.”

The decision to find an open interface was agreed by bus manufacturers Irizar, Solaris, VDL and Volvo and the suppliers of charging technology ABB, Heliox and Siemens but it is open for everyone. It is hoped that all manufacturers will sign up to the new standard.

European body (CEN-CENELEC) is working with the international standardisation body ISO/IEC on European and international standards but they are not expected until 2019. The manufacturers have acted now as customers have demanded immediate action.