Italy - A stone's throw away from the 2024 Transpotec Logitec event, the bus builders, electric charging manufacturers and components suppliers gathered in Milan from 8 – 10 May at the Next Mobility Exhibition. Under the themes of “energy transition and sustainable mobility”, the European public transport industry met to demonstrate its new sustainable products/technologies as the sector looks to rapidly decarbonise to meet climate pledges outlined in the European Green Deal.

Karsan

Karsan Otomotiv Sanayi ve Tic AŞ (Karsan) announced that it is expanding its presence in the Italian market with news of a local distribution and aftersales agreement with KMobility S.R.L. This, according to CEO Okan Baş will help strengthen its aftersales services and spare parts distribution ecosystem in Italy. This is supported by the newly opened logistical and spare parts warehouse in Trento, Northern Italy. Delivery times of new spare parts have been cut to 24 hours on the Italian mainland and 48 hours on the islands.

Karsan stand at NME 2024

Karsan is planning on growing its existing 13% share in the Italian electric public transport market, having already delivered 120 electric buses to Italy, with 200 more to be shipped in the coming years. According to Baş, a key to supporting the growing fleet is simultaneously developing a robust aftermarket network. Baş continued:

This cooperation will boost our effectiveness in providing after-sales services and spare parts towards our expanding electric vehicle park in Italy. With collaborations such as the one with KMobility S.R.L., which we have carried out under the leadership of our 100% subsidiary Karsan Europe, we have focused on expanding our service network and achieving excellence in the customer experience. We are also preparing for the future in after-sales operations of our rapidly growing electric fleet in Europe by cooperating with competent companies. We have intended to be closer to our customers and expand our electric vehicle fleet with these steps we have taken.

Okan Baş CEO of Karsan

Solaris

On the Solaris Bus & Coach sp. z o.o. stand was the Urbino 12 HFC bus, which is equipped with composite hydrogen tanks on the roof, capable of holding 37.5 kg of hydrogen. The bus can travel up to 600kms on a full tank and is equipped with CO2 air conditioning with a heat pump and the latest in ADAS technologies including its digital mirror eye system significantly improving visibility for the driver. T&BB spoke to Marcin Napierała, internal communication manager at Solaris who told us that the company has some very large contracts in Italy in cities including Bologna, Venice and Rome (110 mild hybrid buses and 244 CNG buses). Furthermore, Solaris has an order portfolio for an additional 600 vehicles, to be delivered between 2024 and 2025. Over the last ten years (since 2013), Solaris has been number one in terms of BEV and FCEV city buses over 8T delivered in the EU with a 14.5% market share. Crunching the numbers further, Solaris has over 2,000 battery-electric buses operating in over 160 cities in 22 countries. The company has also delivered over 180 hydrogen-powered buses with another 700 in the orderbook.

Solaris Urbino Hydrogen 12 at NME 2024

Solaris also took the chance to demonstrate the new generation of the electric Urbino 12, which debuted earlier this year at the Mobility Move exhibition in Berlin. The latest generation Urbino has a new modular drive meaning no engine tower, greater flexibility in terms of passenger space and better weight distribution as well as easier maintenance. The vehicle has a capacity of 100 passengers with up to 41 seats. New generation batteries boast a higher energy density. A maximum of 600kWh battery pack provides a range of 600kms.

Iveco Bus

Iveco Bus (a brand of the Iveco Group NV) debuted a mild hybrid version of the popular Crossway city bus. Manufactured at the Iveco bus plant in Vysoké Myto, Czech Republic, series production is slated to begin in 2025. Available in three lengths (10.7,  12, 13 metres, pop and LINE versions), the bus is compatible with XTL* (X-To-Liquid) renewable fuels. The bus is powered by a Euro VI Step E compliant CURSOR 9 engine from sister company FPT, a Voith DIWA NXT gearbox and an LTO battery (48 V) mounted on the roof. This, according to Iveco will aid a significant reduction in energy costs and CO2 emissions compared to internal combustion only models.

*XTL, or X-to-Liquid, is a family of technologies that synthesize liquid fuels from carbon sources like biomass, natural gas, or coal. XTL fuels include green diesel, also known as HVO diesel, which is a synthetic alternative to diesel fuel for boats and vehicles. 

Iveco mild hybrid Crossway city bus

Otokar

Having recently acquired Italian former coachbuilder and dealer Mauri Bus System Srl as part of a general push to increase its market share in the country, Turkish bus builder, Otomotiv ve Savunma Sanayi AŞ (“Otokar”) had four vehicles on the stand, including the revamped version of its 12-metre e-Kent. The vehicle is without an engine tower, increasing room for passengers (101 max) and features a larger battery pack (450 kWh) than previous generations.

Otokar press conference at NME 2024

Kempower

Representatives from Finnish electric charging provider, Kempower OYJ, based in Lahti, Finland, reported that the company had recently expanded its presence in Italy equipping one of Europe’s largest electric bus depots in Via Ferrarese, Bologna, with 20 DC bottom-up pantograph chargers. The depot, currently in operation, is owned by public transport operator TPER (Transporto Passeggeri Emilia-Romagna) and houses over 500 buses (a mixture of ICE and e-buses). Significantly, this is the first bus depot in Italy to utilise charging equipment from Kempower.

Kempower chargers at Bologna bus depot

SAF-Holland

After announcing the acquisition of Italian custom axle and suspension systems manufacturer, Assali Tecma Srl (“Tecma”) and Swedish trailer brake and suspension manufacturer Haldex AB, German truck-trailer components manufacturer SAF-Holland SE, held its first joint trade fair stand with its two new subsidiaries. The company was showcasing products for the CV mobility transition. On display was the ‘TRAKr’ regenerative braking axle for semi-trailers, which works by converting kinetic energy from braking, using a high-voltage 20-kW generator, and storing it in a lithium battery. The extra energy recuperated by the axle can be used for auxiliary purposes, such as powering refrigeration units. The axle can support loads from nine to ten tons and is available with different disc brakes for 19.5” and 22.5” tyres and for ‘INTRA’ and ‘MODUL’ suspension systems. 

SAF-Holland TRAKr’ regenerative braking axle

Also on display was the enhanced SAF INTRA air suspension system and the SAF INTRA castor steering axle with VSE auxiliary steering which protects the tyres and saves fuel. The smart steering system allows for increased manoeuvrability. Speaking at the Exhibition, Cristiano Sturaro, Managing Director of SAF-HOLLAND Italia said: “Electromobility, digitalisation, connectivity, sustainability and safety: The challenges in the transport industry are complex.  In times of change, trade fairs are particularly relevant. At the pulse of the industry, they combine exciting discourse, innovations and new ways of thinking. We are proud to be an initiator and driver of the current transition as one of the leading manufacturers for the commercial vehicles industry.”

SAF-Holland stand at NME 2024