Innovation

In this innovation, the body, chassis, and axles of an old 2005 diesel bus are preserved in their original forms, with old power systems; instead of a diesel engine, transmission, and fuel system; electric motor, battery packs, and battery management systems by placing and it is mentioned that it will be transformed into a 100% electric bus. During the conversion, the original static and dynamic features of the vehicle were kept the same and the life of the vehicle was extended with additional changes and maintenance. This transformation work has been a first in Turkey and BELKA A.Ş has been among the few approved companies in the world in this regard. Here in this photo, you see a converted bus and our engineers working on the project. They continue their research every day to make the bus more efficient.

Engineers on the project and the electric bus

Inspiration

Intensive studies are carried out in Europe and around the world in order to reduce the emission of exhausted gas, which has significant negative effects on the environment and on human health. According to International Energy Agency (IEA) 2009 data, the transportation sector is responsible for 23% of global CO2 emissions. Since 1990, CO2 emissions from transport have increased by 32%. The EU Commission has signed the Green Public Procurement Rules Agreement for new buses, requiring local authorities to procure green vehicles running on gas or electricity between 2025 and 2030. This will lead to the withdrawal of fossil fuel vehicles from traffic, both in our country and the world. The Electric Bus Conversion Project actually started in March 2020 with the purchase of a 2005 model diesel private public bus, which is being decommissioned in Istanbul, which can set an example for the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality bus fleet; It was introduced in front of the press on February 24, 2021, and the first phase was successfully completed. BELKA A.Ş has been the first company in Turkey to obtain the electric bus conversion authorization at European standards. This study will create important opportunities for Turkey and Ankara Metropolitan Municipality.

Overall impact

Ankara with its recycling of these types of batteries, which are used in converted vehicles and are known to expire after 8-10 years, will provide more added value to the circular economy. Project; while meeting with environment-friendly, silent, and technological products, will also lead the way in spreading awareness of a technology that will set an example for many cities. Long-term cooperation and development activities with universities and domestic sub-industry, especially in sectors such as electric motor, battery and battery packaging technologies, and software; will contribute to important localization and development studies in technology fields such as electronics, machinery, materials, and informatics in our country. With the growth of the electric vehicle industry, the recycling of lithium-ion batteries can also be considered a new market to work on in addition to the current conversion project.

Business benefit

Converted electric bus; conversion cost, the cost of the new electric bus sold off the market; It is stated that it corresponds to 35-45% of it, and in this context, it is the same as the new electric bus sold in the market, as well as contributing more to the circular economy. It was the first company in Turkey to receive conversion authorization. The cost of conversion will be between 35-45% of these prices, depending on the desired technical features and the characteristics of the vehicle to be converted. The conversion investment pays for itself in an average of 24 months for a vehicle with a range of 120,000 km per year, with savings to be obtained only from fuel costs and maintenance and repair costs of diesel vehicles that have completed their economic life. When the savings in maintenance and repair costs are added, this time will be reduced even more. The vehicle can be fully charged in 3.5 hours, and an average range of 300 km is provided depending on the road and usage conditions. As can be seen, with the transformation, old buses have gained a new service life, and a new area has been opened in public transportation with the environmentally friendly fuel option and fuel maintenance cost advantage.

Social and environmental benefit

In areas with heavy traffic, the air pollution density rate is high. In particular, traffic congestion causes 20-30% more fuel consumption and air pollution. Moreover, since the energy consumption of electric buses per km is much lower than that of internal combustion buses, more energy savings will be achieved. Since efficiency in energy consumption will mean more efficient use of resources, it will have a positive effect on environmental pollution and, as a result, global warming.

Interview

Baver Can AYDOĞAN, Engineer