VBZ: Travelling on with used batteries

2024-02-21

Zurich's public transport authority is setting a good example by using intact components from decommissioned vehicles.

This is how it works: Starting in May this year, 18 articulated and 17 double-articulated trolleybuses are to be taken out of service in stages. However, their energy storage converters (ESU) and battery module converters (BMU) from Kiepe as well as the traction batteries from Actia still have an expected service life of another 8 to 10 years. They will therefore be installed in 20 ATs and 14 DATs built between 2012 and 2014 and will drive many more kilometres. These vehicles were supplied to VBZ by Carrosserie Hess AG in Bellach (SO), equipped with traction systems, pantographs and traction batteries from Kiepe Electric Schweiz AG as the system integrator. The so-called Kirsch batteries, which were installed in these vehicles from 2012 to 2014, have now reached their end of life.

The conversion is quite a challenge, even if the existing housings can be retained. Kiepe Electric Schweiz AG will carry out this work with demanding interfaces as a subcontractor for Carosserie Hess. Our tasks include project management engineering, material procurement, organisation of EMC measurements and, of course, assembly.