NAMED AFTER a Germanic goddess of fertility, Quantron has launched its long-awaited, much-touted and first ever Cizaris 12 EV low-floor electric bus, recently – highlighting also that its fuel-cell hydrogen 12 H version will debut in 2023.
The 12m-long Cizaris EV will, according to the company, “…stimulate the market for zero-emission and at the same time affordable buses.” It is available in two- and three-door models with a total of nine interior layout options available, it confrims.
Using “robust and reliable” lithium iron phosphate batteries – the packs of which are roof mounted (a maximum of six in the front and six in the rear depending on customer preference) – and “highly efficient” synchronous central motor from Dana/TM4, used in tens of thousands of buses for years thanks to Asian company EV Dynamics, Quantron explains, this combination has so far been rare in Europe, but represents, “…the optimal team for converting the energy on board into propulsion as safely and efficiently as possible.”
With 242-424kWh of ‘selectable battery capacity’, the roof-mounted battery packs are fast-charged via CATL with 65kW-150kW direct current (DC) in 2-5 hours, it says. The matching CCS combo plug is installed on the right, left or in the rear at the customer’s request – a key point in terms of customer convenience, Quantron explains.
In the medium-heavy eSORT 2 cycle, this energy is sufficient for routes of 220-370 kilometres with a charging stroke (DoD) of 10 per cent. This range is fully sufficient for most transport operators, saving them greater expense on charging infrastructure, Quantron says. Yet for higher demands, the Cizaris 12H fuel-cell hydrogen version – using a largely identical powertrain – will have even greater range for intercity travel, starting in 2023.
THE NAME GAME
Augsburg-based Quantron explains the name of its new e-bus as so: the basic ‘Ci’ stands for ‘City’ (i.e. the area of use), the central and prominent ‘Z’ stands for ‘Zero (emissions)’ and the suffix ‘aris’ derives from Greek and means ‘the noblest or the best’.
Additionally, an Augsburg goddess also comes into play: Ciza or Cisa(ris) was the name of the fertility goddess of the Germanic people of the Vindelics, who settled in Augsburg. In this way, the modern drive technology of the future is also linked to the origins of the Augsburg-based company Quantron, which has 140 years of roots in the Haller Commercial Vehicle family business, it says.
NEW LOGO
As the first model for Quantron, the electric bus bears the new “evolutionarily enhanced” company lettering and new ‘Q’ logo – which stands for “Reliable – Energetic – Brave”, Quantron explains. These values are also embodied in the striking three-part, intermittent ‘running light indicators’ in the front, which are similarly installed in other Quantron models.
ABSOLUTE ZERO BLUE
As expected of a new electric bus, the Quantron Cizaris features a modern vehicle design with, as the company states, “…a friendly character”.
Featuring purposefully placed colour components in ‘Absolute Zero Blue’ throughout but at first glance at the top of the roofline and matched below under the front bumper with a thin strip, the overall bus’s front is visually appealing thanks to its generous windshield and new logo treatment.
The roof edge trim at the front and rear puts the emphasis on the battery technology, which is hidden in the roof outside any crash areas, Quantron says.
Inside, there are options for 24-35 seats – and, in total, there is room for 81-95 passengers depending on the battery package; this is significantly more than many competitors, Quantron says.
The rear end with its large tail-lights, some of which are made of frosted glass or have a light-striped design, is also visually very striking and European, it adds.
SPACE PLACE
Access is through two or three 1200mm-wide doors; pneumatic interior swing doors are standard, electric exterior swing-sliding doors are also available on request. Wide passages between the axles or to the optional third door at the rear contribute to the airy and pleasant impression of space, as does the headroom of 2449mm, it says.
The front area up to door two is fully low floor and very easy to clean thanks to beautifully designed ‘keel’ seats (with cantilever suspensions in the case of the individual seats), the company explains. For the first time in this segment, the seat covers are manufactured using textile digital printing and feature the Quantron logo in the specially created parametric design pattern, it says.
The colour scheme can be very easily adapted to suit needs such as those of people with limited mobility, making these seats instantly recognisable. A total of four seat configurations are available for the two-door model, and as many as five for the three-door model, Quantron says.
In the rear, the seats are mounted on pedestals, offering passengers a comfortable, elevated seating position on longer journeys, it says. For short-distance passengers, the seats are mounted transversely on the compact engine box directly opposite door three are ideal for “hop on, hop off”. Optionally, a large luggage rack can also be mounted here; for example, for airport buses.
A Valeo heat pump/air conditioning unit with a cooling capacity of 33kW provides the right climate on board, and the driver also has a front box. Thanks to the advanced principle of ‘Positive Temperature Coefficient Heating (PTC)’, the total heating capacity can be increased to a total of 50kW, if required, it confirms.
A special highlight in the interior is the elaborately perforated aluminium ceiling with indirect side lighting and additional LED lights mounted transversely to it, the colour of which can be changed on request, Quantron says.
When it comes to USB charging there’s either the standard sidewall-mounted USB-A plugs or the optional USB-C plugs under the seats.
LESS IS MORE
For the driver there’s a high-quality and versatile adjustable seat from Isringhausen or Grammer. The easy-to-grip steering wheel with the new brand logo, but without buttons that tend to distract in city traffic, can also be adjusted in two directions. A VDV-compliant version currently in planning will even be fully adjustable.
The functionally designed panel with large monitor for rear-view camera and co. has very few buttons, which are also easy to replace. The manual spring-loaded lever is just as easy to hold as the door control buttons. On the right of the steering wheel is the recuperation lever, which can be used to select the power of the brake energy recuperation in three stages. The power steering pump for the sensitive electrohydraulic steering is installed quietly in the rear. Information on all important processes and status messages is provided by a fully digital instrument cluster from Actia, which is optimally readable at all times – as are the high-resolution camera mirror monitors mounted directly in front of the A-pillars, where they cut down little field of vision, Quantron says.
The Cizaris is also equipped with the latest electronic safety systems such as ABS/ASR, EBS 5.0, ECAS from European production, and the turn-off assistant from Mobileye can also be retrofitted on request.
Stabilisers on the front and rear axles ensure high safety and comfort on board. And optimum fire protection is ensured in the rear compartment, in the battery modules and other high-voltage components by means of fire detectors (temperature/gas sensors) and separate powder extinguisher cartridges – even though the LFP batteries are considered by all experts to be largely “incombustible”, Quantron highlights.
THE PERFORMANCE
The Cizaris’s vehicle-mounted and water-cooled central motor from Dana/TM4 based on the permanent synchronous principle (PSM) is appealing due to its low speeds and particularly high efficiency compared with asynchronous motors, it says. It has an output of 145/245 kilowatts (nominal/maximum) and a maximum engine torque of 1055/3329Nm, which is developed without any gear changes, it explains. With the introduction of the fuel-cell version, an even more powerful powertrain will be used.
Another advantage of the central engine, in addition to its largely silent operation, is that since it does not contribute to the unsprung masses of the chassis like an electric portal axle, it is not exposed to constant vibrations and thus has a longer service life than such systems.
SERVICE AND WARRANTY
The basis for its long bus life is a complex cataphoretic dip painting of the frame (KTL) and other effective corrosion protection measures, the company confirms. A central lubrication system on the front axle ensures optimum maintenance. The warranty terms are basically two years for the entire vehicle, and eight years or 3,000 charge cycles (or 80 per cent charge capacity – whichever comes first) for the all-important batteries. Extensions or service contracts can also be offered on request, it says.
Re-use options for batteries at their end of life can also be offered by Quantron. In total, Quantron has a network of 700 service partners in Europe, many of whom can also service electric buses. In a multi-stage service concept, it is checked in each case whether the customer’s workshop can be upgraded to work largely self-sufficiently with the support of Quantron technicians, Quantron explains.
Bus connectivity is ensured by the FMS 4.0 interface, and the use of partner telematics CAPTE or Vincity is also currently being examined.
Initial sales focus is on the markets of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Scandinavia, and Southern Europe. Due to the special requirements of the German market, such as the VDV specifications relating to the driver’s workplace and other systems, the market launch in Germany, Austria and Switzerland will take place in the second half of 2022, it confirms.
ABOUT QUANTRON
Bavaria, Germany-based Quantron AG is a system provider of clean battery and hydrogen-powered e-mobility for commercial vehicles such as trucks, buses and vans, it states.
In addition to new electric vehicles, the range of services offered includes the electrification of used and existing vehicles, the creation of individual overall concepts including the appropriate charging infrastructure, as well as rental, financing and leasing offers and driver training, it adds.
Quantron AG also sells batteries and integrated customised electrification concepts to manufacturers of commercial vehicles, machinery and intralogistics vehicles.
Specs
MAKE: Quantron
MODEL: Cizaris 12 EV
DIMENSIONS: 12.180/2.550/3.450mm (LxWxH)
MOTOR: Vehicle-mounted, water-cooled DANA TM 4 SUMO MD HV3000 6P synchronous central motor behind the drive axle; power – (nominal/maximum) 145/245kW; Torque – (nominal/maximum) 1,055/3,329Nm
BATTERIES: Temperature-controlled lithium iron phosphate (LFP) mounted on the roof (max. 6 modules each front and rear); 242-424kWh selectable capacity; charging time (with 65-150kW (DC) – 2-5 hours; range eSORT2 220-370km, customer-specific position of CCS combo type 2
CHASSIS: Vo. Dana comfort rigid axle with stabiliser, max. load 7.5t; rear Dana hypoid axle with stabilisers, max. load 11.5t (techn. 13t);
WHEELS/TYRES: 275/70 R22.5 (with aluminium rims)
SEATING: Total capacity – two-door: 31-36 / 89-93*; Three-door: 25-34 / 91-95*, where * = with smallest battery pack
MISC.: ABS/ASR, EBS 5.0, ECAS, mirror replacement system with nose observation camera; rear-view camera; turn assist (Mirroreye) and attention assist on request; fire detection/extinguishing system in all relevant components
Photography: courtesy Quantron AG
