Following the success of its LD9 diesel air-conditioning unit, DENSO has released its LD9 electric zero emissions unit in response to the shift in the industry’s needs.
It’s clear DENSO has joined the industry in making the shift towards electric bus products. At its Bus & Coach Expo space, its new LD9 electric units glistened under the Sydney Showground lights.
After years spent perfecting the technology to make the unit as light and efficient as possible for manufacturers, DENSO Automotive Systems Australia electric and thermal solutions manager Matthew Rizio says it was all worthwhile to see the LD9 at the first Expo since 2019.
“We’re branching into electric products and this can be seen in our new LD9 electric model,” Rizio told ABC. “This is our future now. The development in electric and hydrogen technology makes for really exciting times ahead.”
Rizio says a couple of buses at various Expo stalls had the new LD9 installed. Based off the existing LD9 diesel system, DENSO spent years including an electric system on the unit.
“Development for the LD9 electric unit started five years ago,” Rizio says. “We’ve then been working with Volvo for the past three years to locally introduce the model.
“We got it tested – it spent a lot of time in the climate chamber we have in DENSO’s Melbourne space, before getting it road tested and launching the product earlier this year.”
Currently, four separate buses are trialling the DENSO electric unit. With volume production looming for the new model, Rizio says a lot more buses will soon feature the latest in DENSO air-conditioning technology.
What makes the electric model special is the little details. Rizio says DENSO has installed all of its latest generation components on it. This means there are high efficiency heat exchanges and compact compressors that rival the performances seen on the LD9 diesel model.
While Volvo has been the first local company to feature the DENSO LD9 electric unit on its buses, Rizio says there’s about to be availability for other operators to trial the unit soon.
“There’s been a big change towards electric technology and we’re glad to be part of it at this Expo,” Rizio says. “At the last Expo, electric technology didn’t even feel worthy of a mention.
“Now it’s the main focus and we’re really excited to have our LD9 electric air-conditioning product out. We’re looking forward to seeing a lot of them out on the road.”
This exciting launch of the electric LD9 unit is only the start for DENSO. Rizio is remaining tight-lipped. He can still infer that there are some major announcements in the works for DENSO heading into 2023.
“Much like the industry, we’ll continue heading down the electric bus technology path,” he says. “We’ve got more models in the pipeline.
“I can’t say too much, but it’s exciting to say that there’s definitely plenty more to see when it comes to DENSO looking towards 2023 and beyond.”