CO2 heat pump from Konvekta in 60% of German e-buses

The use of electric heaters in e-buses proves to be a veritable energy guzzler. In order to generate one kWh (kilowatt-hour) of heating energy, the system "burns" 1.1 to 1.23 kWh of energy from the battery. Various transit companies and bus manufacturers found through various field measurements and daily use measurements that the already limited energy supply was so drastically reduced that the range occasionally even dropped by more than 50%.

Significant Energy Savings

In order to avoid additional energy costs and investments in infrastructure for further charging points or alternatively larger fleets, over 60% of German transit companies decided in 2021 to use a Konvekta CO₂ heat pump system. Depending on the vehicle, the CO₂ heat pump, for example, requires about 45 kWh/100 km at an outside temperature of -10°C – compared to conventional electric heating components, which consume more than 110 kWh/100 km.

Many Importers Rely on Konvekta

The CO₂ heat pump systems are not only installed in German e-buses from Mercedes-Benz. They are also used by numerous importers. Solaris has been using them for quite some time. New customers include companies like Irizar, BYD (in the buses for DB) or Ebusco (in the buses for BVG). The North Hessian thermal management specialist is currently in negotiations with Hess and Iveco.

What Does This Mean?

Heat pumps save energy – significantly so in buses. It's good that Konvekta AG, a globally operating manufacturer of complete climate control systems for buses, construction and agricultural machinery, electric vehicles, as well as rail and refrigerated transport vehicles, has taken up this issue.