The first electric bus for road use in Brazil has the streets and roads of the State of Espírito Santo as destination, serving customers of VIX Logística in the charter service, for the transportation of employees of companies in the State. With a chassis manufactured by BYD, the electric road bus uses Viaggio bodyshell, in version 1050, manufactured by Marcopolo.

The pilot project, a partner of EDP, VIX Logística (company owned by the Águia Branca Group), WEG and CERTI, will be 18 months long, with a total investment of R$ 6.6 million, and consists of an electric bus and four stations of recharge, operating in an integrated way through a management platform, which will allow the performance of tests of functionalities and the business model, with the objective of evaluating the conditions and cost-benefit for a possible future expansion, including with other markets and partners.

EDP is responsible for overall project management, as well as providing electric mobility and charger operation services. VIX Logística is the bus operator, and will carry out functionality tests and feasibility analysis. The project was made possible through a strategic call for research & development (R&D), promoted by ANEEL in 2019.

The consortium also had the participation of the companies WEG as a provider of rapid charging solutions of lithium-ion batteries, and Certi as a contributor in specific market studies, regulatory subjects and economic feasibility analyses.

With autonomy to run up to 350 km with the battery fully charged, the BYD D9F is the first vehicle of its kind in Brazil for short and medium distance charter operations. With power of up to 410 hp and two electric motors integrated into the rear axle wheels, it has fast charging in up to four hours. The vehicle is 12.9 meters long and has a capacity for 44 passengers.

“We started our story by innovating and continue to do so every day to offer solutions that solve our customers’ problems and needs. The Águia Branca Group's DNA has the continuous search to bring the most modern and efficient to our business, and the arrival of the first electric bus for road use for charter service, by VIX, is another important step in this direction, encouraging us to always be aware of new technologies, trends and investments in innovative projects.” said the president of the Águia Branca Group, Renan Chieppe.

According to Kaumer Chieppe, President of VIX Logística, a number of ultramodern safety and comfort devices are present in the vehicle, such as 360 vision with auxiliary cameras, thermal and fatigue vision sensor, in addition to an artificial intelligence system that works on the prevention of collisions, among others. Real-time measurements with performance information will be shared with the other partner companies in the initiative.

“This is a pioneering project. The first electric bus for road use in the country will allow us to know and evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of electrifying the road passenger transport system. The project will have tests in a real environment, on selected lines, with several VIX clients, and will enable us to evolve to reach competitive costs in alternative technologies to diesel to offer and generate value to our clients”. Since it does not emit gases harmful to health or the environment, the electric bus has a sustainable life cycle, with high potential to contribute to the reduction of local and atmospheric emissions, says Kaumer Chieppe.

“The expansion and widespread use of buses within the electric mobility ecosystem has great potential for this market to become popular, as well as bringing numerous environmental benefits by avoiding the emission of CO2 into the atmosphere. We are very pleased with the practical implementation of the project and hope that it will be the beginning of a positive legacy for the country”, states Nuno Pinto, Head of Electric Mobility at EDP Brasil.

The director of the BYD Brasil bus division, Marcello Schneider, talks about the importance of companies being concerned about the environment: “Investment in electric mobility is always an effective way and has a great impact on the environment. Every diesel bus replaced by an electric one is a gain for the planet”. The executive also highlights the economic advantages of the electrical operation; “BYD buses are 100% electric, in addition to being non-polluting, they are economical, with an operating cost 70% less than a conventional diesel bus”.

Sustainability, Economy, Comfort and Accessibility:

Among the main advantages of the electric bus are the elimination of gas emissions resulting from the burning of solid fuels, as well as the elimination of internal and external noise. As it is quiet, the vehicle also has an advantage offering greater comfort to passengers. Another highlight is the operating cost of the electric bus, 60 and 70% lower compared to a conventional diesel bus, as well as having greater availability, since the reduced number of parts (from 2,000 to 300), reduces by up to 60% the need for maintenance.

The vehicle has a DPM (Mobile Armchair Device) accessibility system, also called a side pantographic door for a mobile armchair, better known as an accessibility lift. A curiosity is the number chosen for the vehicle: EV 50. It is a reference to VIX, which celebrates 50 years in 2021, following the EV, of “Eletric Vehicle”, the first of the Águia Branca Group.

Battery, recharge and tests:

Four WEG Electric Mobility charging stations will be located across ES, two in garages of the Águia Branca Group and two in locations close to VIX customers. To recharge the lithium-ion battery of the electric bus, an average time of 3 to 4 hours is estimated, depending on the level of charge of the batteries, and generates autonomy to run about 250 to 350 km with a single recharge. The vehicle also features a modern regeneration system that allows the battery to be charged while braking.

During 18 months, monitored tests will be carried out under various operating conditions currently performed by VIX, which will generate data for the feasibility analysis for the electrification of the diesel-powered fleet.  

Additional on-board technologies focused on safety and assistance in driving the vehicle:

• Brid view

360-degree camera vision system to aid vehicle maneuvering

• Thermal vision system
• Fatigue sensor
• Artificial intelligence surveillance system and driver fatigue prevention.
• Data recorder
• Side sensors
• Rear red line
• Ramp start aid system
• Mobileeye System

Artificial intelligence system that works to prevent frontal collisions and runs over cyclists and pedestrians; alerts drivers of the safe distance between vehicles, alerts of lane changes without the use of signaling devices, indicates the speed of the journey from reading the signs.

• Four-wheel disc braking system, ABS and state-of-the-art traction control.
• PCD boarding system for wheelchairs

Package of facilities and comfort:

• Gel alcohol dispenser
• Chromotherapy in the lighting of the salon
• Support tables for electronic devices
• USB sockets and electrical sockets
• Air conditioning
• Sound and entertainment system
• USB ports on all seats
• 110V power outlets
• Integral air suspension

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

About VIX Logistica

Specializing in customized logistics solutions, VIX Logística is one of the largest companies in the sector in Brazil. It operates in fleet rental and management, people transfers, cargo handling, automotive logistics and dedicated logistics, in addition to application transportation, car rental and the sale of used vehicles, with operations throughout the country and also in the Mercosur.

VIX works with a focus on gaining efficiency and generating value for the customer, with a complete portfolio to serve various segments and presence in all stages of the customer's production process. Operational excellence, based on safety, health, innovation and people management, is a non-negotiable strategic pillar for the company. The company's history began in 1971, when the Águia Branca Group started its chartering operations. Then the Group acquired Viação Capixaba, expanding the vehicle fleet and increasing the turnover. This coincided with the start of rental and dedicated logistics activities.

In the 1990s, the acquisition of Autoport enabled automotive logistics services. In the 2000s, VIX once again expanded its range of activities with new activities: mining, oil, gas and steel, in addition to port operations. In 2017, the company creates VIX Labs, the first innovation laboratory of the Águia Branca Group, which in 2018 launches as its first project, the V1 - Transport Service by App. In the same year, VIX acquired Let's Rent a Car, focusing on fleet outsourcing. In 2019 one of the highlights was the launch of the V1 Car Rental, with the entire process 100% via APP.

One of the company's motto is to innovate and reinvent, always guided by the pillars of safety, sustainability, long-lasting relationships and respect for people. In 2021, VIX completes 50 years of experience in a solid journey of prosperity and growth with a focus on results that positioned VIX among the largest logistics companies in Brazil.

About the Águia Branca Group

Founded in 1946, the Águia Branca Group is one of the largest transportation and logistics business conglomerates in the country. Headquartered in Espírito Santo, the Group operates throughout Brazil in air and road passenger transport, logistics and vehicle trade services.

The companies are managed through Divisions, which act in a specialized manner, according to the characteristics of each segment.

With an organizational model that seeks to value people, Águia Branca Group companies offer their customers high quality products and services. Another common practice of the Águia Branca Group is the investment in research on new technologies that can be incorporated into its different areas of expertise.

About WEG 

Founded in 1961, WEG is a global company of electronic equipment and operates mainly in the capital assets sector with solutions in electrical machines, automation and paints, for several sectors, including infrastructure, steel, pulp and paper, oil and gas, mining, among many others. WEG stands out in innovation for the constant development of solutions to meet the major trends focused on energy efficiency, renewable energies and electric mobility. With industrial operations in 12 countries and commercial presence in more than 135 countries, the company has more than 30 thousand employees distributed worldwide. In 2019, WEG achieved net sales revenue of R$ 13.3 billion, 58% of which came from sales outside Brazil.

About EDP in Brazil

With over 20 years of experience, EDP is one of the largest private companies in the electricity sector operating throughout the value chain. The Company, which has more than 10,000 direct and outsourced employees, operates in Transmission, Commercialization and Energy Services, and has six hydroelectric and one thermoelectric generation units. In the Distribution, it serves approximately 3.5 million customers in São Paulo and Espírito Santo, in addition to being the main shareholder of Celesc, in Santa Catarina. In Brazil, it is a reference in areas such as Innovation, Governance and Sustainability, having been in the B3 Corporate Sustainability Index (ISE) for 14 consecutive years.

Follow EDP at: Website | LinkedIn