ABC #403

COVERSTORY
CUSTOM DENNING ELEMENT
The batteries have a 10-year life
expectancy and Custom Denning
will help recycle them at the end of
their life.
Specs
MAKE: Custom Denning Element
CHASSIS: Denning low floor
BODY: Custom Denning, stainless
steel frame
DIMENSIONS: 12.5m long x 3.3m
high (2.45m inside)
WEIGHT: Slightly more than 12
tonnes
BATTERIES: Six 63kWh LMP from
Blue Solutions Bollore (France), giving
378kWh
VOLTAGE: 450–648 volts
RANGE: 500km / 16+ hours
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, DRIVE: Actia
drive motor. Power - 250kW, Torque -
3,000Nm
STEERING: ZF electric power steering
AXLES: ZF front and rear, with offset
diff and drop axle for low-floor layout
CHARGING INPUT: DC-CCS Type 2
BRAKES AND SUSPENSION: Wabco
with electronically controlled air
suspension
SEATING: 43 seats and 24 standing;
Custom Denning Metro seats
DOORS: Ventura (Holland) leaf-style
front door and plug-type rear door
for better sealing to improve the
efficiency of the air conditioning and
reduce battery strain
AIR CONDITIONING: Valeo HV
SAFETY SYSTEMS: EBS, ESP, LDWS,
collision warning system, pedestrian
warning system
MISC.: LED lights, electric air
compressor, on-board telematics
offering live CAN data and
operational information, ADR
approved
I think brake
servicing and pad
wear is going to be
a massive change
to what we all do
now.
driver data.
The drivetrain is made by Actia,
which has been manufacturing
electrical componentry for trucks,
trains, cars and even airplanes for
decades and is considered to be an
authority in the field.
There are familiar names as
well - ZF for axles and steering
componentry and Wabco
suspension and braking - ensuring
maintenance is easy for operators.
The Element comes standard
with an electronic braking system
(EBS), electronic stability control
(ESP) and electronically controlled
air suspension (ECAS) for driver and
passenger safety.
It also has advanced driver
assistance systems (ADAS), which is
a driver assist system that protects
against lane departure (LDWS)
as well as including collision and
pedestrian alerts.
The pedestrian warning system
would be invaluable on a school or
route bus, especially in busy and
built-up areas. The LDWS would be
more useful for a driver who has
been on the road for any extended
period of time, but added safety
features are always welcome
inclusions.
The electric steering is
outstanding in its ease of operation;
straight away it feels like we have
complete control of where the bus
is at any given time. Overall, it is a
well-balanced steering system that
is not too heavy or light – just easy
driving, really.
Straight away we entered into
busy traffic and the dual motor, with
250kW and 3,000Nm, was smooth.
It accelerated up to speed with ease
and the torque of the electric motor
felt endless. The feeling of power
without the normal associated noise
and lag of a diesel is an unusual
feeling, but it’s one that you could
easily get used to – the bells and
whistles with no bad side effects.
The quiet drive of the bus is
the one thing that really sets
electric buses apart, but with the
Element it’s also the smoothness
of acceleration up to speed. There
wasn’t one part of the drive that
wasn’t super comfortable and
effortless.
An electric bus with the Australian
Made sticker on the window – well
done, Custom Denning!
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ABC March 2021 busnews.com.au