SAFRA is participating in the Transports Publics 2018 trade show, which takes place in Paris at the Porte de Versailles from June 12 to 14. It will be exhibiting the rechargeable hybrid electric Businova for the Périgueux metropolitan area, as well as the Michelin fuel cell that will power the hydrogen Businova for the Syndicat Mixte des Transports Artois-Gohelle. The Renovation teams will also be on hand to showcase the latest achievements in public transport equipment renovation.
On its stand of more than 100 m², SAFRA exhibits above all its know-how in passenger transport equipment. The Public Transport Equipment Division is indeed the historical activity of the company created in 1955, and its experience of more than 63 years participates unquestionably in its reputation. This Division is divided into 2 activities. The Renovation activity, stemming from the company’s historical business, is now specialized in the provision of equipment, fitting out, renovation and heavy maintenance of urban transport vehicles (buses, streetcars, subways and railcars). This SAFRA division also has a bus construction activity since 2011. The company has developed its own bus, the Businova, an urban bus with an atypical design and innovative architecture. This vehicle is marketed in different versions, with 3 sizes and 4 types of engines, all of which perfectly meet the new directives of the Energy Transition Law.
The bus exhibited on the SAFRA stand is the one of the agglomeration of Périgueux. During the previous Public Transport Exhibition, the Greater Périgueux area signed an order with the CATP (Public Transport Purchasing Centre) for three Businova 12m rechargeable hybrid electric buses. These orders are part of a sustainable mobility strategy of the local policy of the Greater Perigueux, and are part of a European call for projects “LIFE 2016”. This order followed the demonstration of the vehicle in May 2015 in the agglomeration of Périgueux, as well as the exhibition of the Businova at the Journées Agir, in June 2015 in Périgueux.
A Michelin fuel cell is also on display at the SAFRA booth. This 15 kW fuel cell is a smaller model than the one that will be integrated in the hydrogen version of the Businova. The manufacturer won a contract for six hydrogen buses following a public tender launched by the Syndicat Mixte des Transport Artois-Gohelle. The contract concerns the supply of 6 standard low-floor buses with fuel cell electric motorization. The SMTAG’s perimeter encompasses 150 municipalities, including the agglomerations of Lens – Liévin, Hénin – Carvin and Béthune – Bruay – Artois-Lys-Romane, making it the 6th largest transport area in France. This success reinforces SAFRA’s decision to develop its range towards zero emission vehicles, including the hydrogen version. By launching the hydrogen range, SAFRA becomes the first French manufacturer of hydrogen buses.
From the beginning of the Businova project, SAFRA has been very interested in hydrogen technology, which allows the maintenance of a reduced battery capacity by providing additional energy. The Businova H2 is based on the original architecture developed by SAFRA since 2011 and approved. By keeping the entire architecture of the vehicle (passenger compartment, chassis, axle, mechanical parts, batteries, electrical architecture) SAFRA has adapted a hydrogen system to the initial 250 kW electric drive train, powered by a 132 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The fuel cell is supplied by Michelin, and the system integrates a storage of 28 kg of hydrogen at 350 bars, which allows a range of more than 300 kms per day. The Michelin hydrogen module is built around a 30 kW fuel cell. Michelin’s fuel cell technology can cover a range of applications from 5 to 100 kW. Significant integration work has been carried out to obtain a reduced weight and a very compact volume, in order to facilitate integration in the vehicle.
The Businova is marketed in a very low emission mode with its “rechargeable hybrid electric” range offered with a diesel (Euro VI) or CNG extender, which perfectly meets the requirements of group 1 of the decree of the energy transition law for green growth. It is also available in a zero-emission version, in 100% electric with a slow recharging system in the evening at the depot, or a fast recharging system using a reverse pantograph, but also in a hydrogen version. It is on these aspects of operating agility and vehicle scalability that the Businova keeps a real lead over its competitors.
The new range proposed today by SAFRA is a perfect response to the needs of the French market for zero-emission vehicles, following the latest directives of the energy transition law, but also at the international level, with European projects related to low-carbon mobility solutions.