One of the team members, Stephan Lacock, said the team removed the minibus’ internal combustion engine and all other associated components, including the petrol tank, manual transmission, gas pipe, and radiator. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOvercoming design challenges, Rham Equipment and our research team have successfully created a reproducible \u2018kit\u2019<\/strong> that includes the main components of the electric powertrain or system that propels the vehicle forward,” Lacock said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “These include an electric motor, inverter, charger, electronic control unit, and a single-speed reduction gearbox. The powertrain is skilfully connected to a custom-designed battery pack that meets the specific operational needs of a minibus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He noted that the new minibus has an advanced regeneration system that harnesses energy generation during deceleration and downhill driving, improving the vehicle’s energy efficiency and overall range. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs a result, the minibus is now equipped to travel an estimated range of approximately 120 km, with a maximum speed of 120 km\/h. It has an electric motor power of 90 kW and a battery capacity of 53.76 kWh,” Lacock said <\/p>\n\n\n\n “This ensures that it meets all load and driving requirements comparable to those of traditional internal combustion engine minibuses. Moreover, the electric powertrain brings enhanced agility and an exhilarating driving experience to the minibus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThanks to the inclusion of a 20 kW charger, the minibus can be efficiently charged in just over two hours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He added that future advancements in technology should lead to more improvements in charging times, longer driving ranges and overall performance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Load shedding pain <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite being optimistic about the retrofitting of taxis, Booyen said that employing them could be challenging due to the nation’s energy crisis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe need to look at what the impact would be if we add an extra load of electric vehicles to the grid. Given that people who can buy electric vehicles can also afford to install fast charges, the impact of those vehicles will quickly slay a grid already on its knees,” he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWith petrol and diesel vehicles, we could drive to the nearest gas station because there was adequate infrastructure, sufficient \u2018range\u2019 on a tank, and the refilling was quick. With electric vehicles, the problem is the \u2018filling\u2019 takes a long time, and the range and energy source are limited.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, team member Johan Giliomee said that these minibus taxis could be supplied via the installation of solar panels and battery energy storage systems at taxi ranks. He added that hydrogen could also be used as an alternative electricity source or for interim energy storage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe vast majority of taxis are stationary between the early morning and afternoon peaks, making it an ideal opportunity for charging from solar panels,” Giliomee said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n “This also means a single charge would only need to supply sufficient energy for half the day, significantly reducing the required battery capacity as opposed to being scaled to support a full day’s operations. Further ideal charging opportunities are seen overnight when the national electricity demand is at its lowest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Booysen suggested shifting the focus of the national discussion on electric vehicles to encompass a system-based approach to electric mobility that includes decentralized electricity provision in light of the nation’s energy woes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe must think anew about how we buy a car; it must be sold as part of a mobility package, that is, the car, solar panels and a large battery as a system, rather than just an electric car that will mess up our grid and will be restricted by our grid,” he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He added that the next stage of the project will see a Golden Arrow Bus retrofitted.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Below are some images of the retrofitted taxi: <\/p>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Retrofit-1.jpg\")
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