Saietta accelerates zero-emission solutions for ICE buses and coaches

Saietta Group is offering bus and coach operators the chance to electrify their vehicles to help clean up emissions in major cities.

The company, which specialises in high-tech advanced e-mobility propulsion, is intensifying an important overhaul operation to transform existing high polluting diesel-engine-powered buses and coaches into clean, sustainable and zero-emission vehicles.

Using its ‘RetroMotion’ engineering team, bus and coach service providers can revitalise their aging, polluting diesel-based fleet to a retrofit propulsion solution that is modern, all-electric, clean, silent-running and sustainable.

Saietta claims a real-world zero-emissions driving range of up to 217 miles (350km) depending on individual specification, application and vehicle size.

RetroMotion’s strategy is part of Saietta’s wider plans to ensure densely populated city centres become cleaner, greener and quieter living spaces.

Wicher Kist, chief executive officer at Saietta, said: “Saietta Group prides itself on being at the vanguard of e-mobility propulsion with the aim of democratizing clean sustainable transportation around the globe and within every sector, from two-wheel scooters to compact passenger cars and right through to bus, coach and heavy goods vehicles.

“But we also understand that such important yet dramatic change – effectively replacing outdated internal combustion engines (ICEs) with new battery electric powertrains – can’t be successfully achieved overnight. That’s why we are stepping up the efforts of our RetroMotion engineering division. We want to give coach and bus operators an opportunity to transform their aging and polluting fleet into a green mobility service that’s modern and clean.

“RetroMotion’s services mean fleet operators don’t have to make sudden and huge outlays on all-new electric vehicles. These important investments can be done incrementally thanks to the possibility of upgrading and extending the lifespan of existing buses and coaches, in the process also meeting upcoming tough legislation.”

RetroMotion’s expertise in this area spans nearly two decades from the point at which the organisation first saw a need from the market for this tech solution, with a detailed research and development program being implemented thereafter.

Delivery of the company’s first-gen e-axles to customers commenced in 2009. Since then, RetroMotion has developed a high-tech second-generation e-axle and e-powertrain solution. In real-world bus applications running in European cities, the RetroMotion electrification tech package – both gen-one and gen-two developments – has accumulated in total 3.2 million kilometres on-road usage so far.

The retrofit process, carried out by RetroMotion engineers, will see aging buses and coaches fitted with advanced e-propulsion system, which is mounted to the rear wheels of the coach or bus.

A twin-tire solution with front mounted rims is used as part of the re-design to ensure the in-wheel motors fit seamlessly to the existing application. Critical systems such as the high-power inverter and motor components like the stator and rotor with permanent magnets are also installed as part of the transformation.

The electric motors and e-platform, branded TheWheel and TheMotion 2.0, have been designed in-house and can deliver peak torque of up to 20,000Nm is possible with a 94% real-world efficiency level being realized from battery to wheel. The Lithium-iron Phosphate (LFP) battery pack is available in a range of power outputs to suit differing requirements, varying from 181kWh to 422kWh.