Quantron: Electric Bus Cizaris Unveiled

The Augsburg-based company Quantron has presented its first independent bus model, Cizaris, in an online premiere. It will initially be launched as a purely electric version (Cizaris 12 EV), before the fuel cell counterpart (Cizaris 12 H) follows in 2023, which uses a largely identical drive train. The approximately 12-meter-long fully electric Cizaris 12 EV is available as a two- or three-door model with a total of nine interior layouts. The vehicles are produced by the Hong Kong-based E-bus manufacturer EV Dynamics. The typical design features of the brand as well as customer-specific adjustments for municipal traffic are then carried out at the Quantron plant in Augsburg-Gersthofen. In the medium term, the Cizaris is to receive a new, completely independent design in the style of the new Quantron brand family.

No Battery Tower

The exterior design features a windshield that extends visually downward, with large radii on the outside. Both the front and rear roof edges are noticeably rounded and decorated with an additional "front panel". With the bus's black middle section emphasizing its low-floor character, the roof edge cladding at the front and rear highlights the battery technology, which is concealed on the roof outside most crash areas. This allows the vehicle to forego a conventional rear tower unit, thereby offering 24 to 35 seats. Depending on the battery package, there is room for a total of 81 to 95 passengers. The rear is also visually striking and European in appearance, with large taillights that are partially made of frosted glass or feature running light technology.

Light-Filled Interior

Access is provided through two or three 1,200 mm wide pneumatic inward sliding doors (standard) or optional electric outward sliding doors. Wide passageways between the axles or to the optional third door at the rear contribute to the airy spatial impression, as does the 2,449 mm standing height. The front area up to the second door is fully low-floor and features Kiel seats – with cantilever mounts for single seats – making them easy to clean. The robust seat covers are produced via textile digital printing and feature the Quantron logo. In total, four seat configurations are available for the two-door version and five for the three-door version. In the rear area, the seats are mounted on pedestals.

Valeo Heat Pump

Onboard thermal management is provided by a Valeo heat pump with a cooling capacity of 33 kW; the driver also has a front box. The principle of Positive Temperature Coefficient Heating (PTC) allows the total heating capacity to be increased to 50 kW if needed. This method enables effective, battery-adapted heating performance with lower energy consumption. Optional equipment includes antiviral filters and a closed driver's cabin. A unique interior feature is the perforated aluminum ceiling with indirect side lighting and additional cross-mounted LED lights, which can change color upon request. USB chargers are available as standard wall-mounted USB-A ports or optional USB-C ports under the seats.

Driver’s Workplace and Safety Systems

The driver's workplace in the Cizaris features seats from Isringhausen or Grammer mounted on a raised platform with a tactile steering wheel that lacks city traffic distracting buttons. A VDV-compliant version is planned. Minimizing the number of buttons is part of the design principle; the few that are present are easily replaceable. A large monitor for the rearview camera and a recuperation lever, allowing the selection of brake energy recovery in three stages, are part of the standard equipment. The steering assistance pump is installed at the rear. A fully digital instrument cluster from Actia provides information on all important operations and status messages. The vehicle foregoes exterior mirrors in favor of a camera system with high-resolution monitors mounted directly in front of the A-pillars. As one of the few city buses, the Cizaris also offers a separate front observation camera with a large monitor above the dashboard.

The electric bus is equipped with EBS 5.0, including ABS, ASR, and ECAS from European production. An optional turning assistant from Mobileye can also be retrofitted. Stabilizers on the front and rear axles ensure safety and comfort. For fire protection, there are smoke detectors (temperature and gas sensors) and separate powder extinguishing cartridges installed in the rear compartment, the battery modules, and other high-voltage components – despite the supposedly safe LFP cell chemistry.

Battery and Traction Technology

The LFP batteries are combined with a synchronous central motor from Dana/TM4. With a selectable battery capacity ranging from 242 to 424 kWh, the battery packs, exclusively mounted on the roof by CATL – a maximum of six in the front and six in the rear depending on customer requirements – can be fast-charged with 65 to 150 kW in two to five hours using DC fast charging. The CCS combo plug is installed on the right, left, or at the rear based on customer preferences. According to Quantron, this energy is sufficient for routes of 220 to 370 km in the medium-heavy eSORT-2 cycle, with a state of charge (DoD) of 10%. For higher demands, the Cizaris 12H will offer even greater range from 2023 onwards – e.g., for intercity traffic.

The vehicle-fixed and water-cooled central motor from Dana/TM4 with a permanent synchronous principle (PSM) features lower rotational speeds and higher efficiency compared to asynchronous motors. It delivers (nominal/maximum) 145/245 kW and has a maximum engine torque of max. 1,055/3,329 Nm without the need for a gear. With the introduction of the fuel cell version, an even more powerful drive train will be used. One advantage of the central motor, apart from its low noise emission, is that it is not part of the unsprung masses of the chassis like an electric portal axle, and it is not exposed to constant shocks, thus having a longer lifespan than such systems.

Service and Warranty

Quantron supports its customers even during the purchase process with its experts and assists in configuring the vehicle based on their routes and electric equipment. Cathodic dip coating of the frame (KTL) and other corrosion protection measures are part of quality assurance, as is central lubrication on the front axle. Warranty conditions are two years for the entire vehicle, eight years or 3,000 charging cycles or 80% remaining charge capacity for the batteries – whichever comes first. Extensions or service contracts, as well as reuse options for batteries at the end of their life, can also be offered upon request.

Overall, Quantron has a network of 700 service partners in Europe. Many of them can also service electric buses. In a multistage service concept, it is checked whether the customer's workshop can be equipped to work largely autonomously with the support of Quantron technicians. Bus connectivity is ensured through the FMS 4.0 interface. The involvement of Quantron partners Capte or VinCity is also being considered to retrieve essential bus data, which is also required for public funding, from a distance at any time.

Market Launch in Germany from Mid-2022

For the market launch of the Cizaris, the sales focus is initially on Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Scandinavia, and Southern Europe. Due to the specific requirements of the German market, such as VDV regulations concerning the driver's workplace and other systems, the market launch in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland will not take place until the second half of 2022.

Technical Data Cizaris 12 EV

• Length/Width/Height: 12,180/2,550/3,450 mm
• Wheelbase: 5,900 mm
• Overhangs (front/rear): 2,800/3,450 mm
• Turning Circle: 22,922 mm
• Motor: vehicle-based, water-cooled synchronous central motor Dana TM 4 Sumo MD HV3000 6P behind the drive axle. Power (nominal/maximum) 145/245 kW, torque (nominal/maximum) 1,055/3,329 Nm
• Batteries: temperature-controlled lithium iron phosphate batteries (LFP) mounted on the roof (max. 6 modules each front and rear); 242 to 424 kWh capacity; charging time with 65 to 150 kW (DC) two to five hours; customer-specific position of the CCS Combo Type 2 plug right, left or rear; eSORT 2 range approximately 220 to 370 km
• Chassis/Safety: front axle Dana rigid axle with stabilizer, max. load capacity 7.5t. rear axle Dana hypoid axle with stabilizers, max. load capacity 11.5t (technical 13 t). Tires 275/70 R 22.5 (with aluminum rims); EBS 5.0 with ABS and ASR, ECAS, mirror replacement system with front observation camera, reversing camera, turning assistant (MirrorEye) and attention assistant on request; fire detection/extinguishing system in all relevant components

What does this mean?

With the Cizaris, Quantron is entering a new era and bringing its first independent product to market - it's just a shame that it's not made in Gersthofen.