Custom Denning Discussion / Observations

[MiCCROwavE_OVEN]

Custom Denning announced in August 2023 that "The first Endeavour Hybrid has been manufactured and will be delivered to the McGinty Group, a family operated transportation business servicing much of Victoria". The only Custom Endeavour in the McGinty's fleet is the vehicle above, now registered BS01PD.

But the bus in question is a diesel Scania K320CB microhybrid - which is different to a hybrid diesel-electric. Microhybrids are like traditional diesel vehicles with fuel-saving measures like the engine turning off when idle, or even regenerative braking to power electronics onboard, while diesel-electric hybrids have an electric motor that actually propels the bus forward. The Custom Denning article mentioned above says the bus has a "31kWh lithium-ion battery unit that has been seamlessly integrated into the roof canopy" which is a typical feature of a diesel-electric hybrid, but in the above image, the only thing on the roof is an air-conditioning unit - there is no roof canopy.

If there is really a Scania hybrid with the Custom Endeavour body lying around in a yard somewhere, I can't wait to see it. The Endeavour is a great bus body but it's been somewhat outshone by the Element, which in all respects is a great bus, but the Endeavour is really designed for a long service life and has by far the best build quality of any bus I've been on.

[trackless tram]

If there is really a Scania hybrid with the Custom Endeavour body lying around in a yard somewhere, I can't wait to see it. The Endeavour is a great bus body but it's been somewhat outshone by the Element, which in all respects is a great bus, but the Endeavour is really designed for a long service life and has by far the best build quality of any bus I've been on.

Here's a peek. Not yet delivered.

[tonyp]

From CD:

Custom Denning Achieves Australian First with Pantograph-Fast-Charging Electric Bus.

Custom Denning, the pioneering manufacturer behind Australia’s electric buses has achieved a remarkable new milestone. The company now proudly lays claim for producing Australia’s first electric bus equipped with pantograph fast-charging capability. This achievement solidifies Custom Denning’s role as a leader in developing environmentally friendly transportation solutions tailored to meet the dynamic and evolving demands of Australia’s public transit networks.

With 13 Element 2 buses now equipped with pantograph charging, Custom Denning has demonstrated consecutive 1C fast-charging sessions using a single bus pantograph charger, an event witnessed by representatives from Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW). The fast-charging buses are fitted with 462 kWh batteries which can be charged in less than 1 hour. This remarkable performance showcases the Element 2’s capabilities in delivering rapid, reliable charging, keeping transit operations on schedule.

Custom Denning’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of bus design continues to set new standards for the industry. Looking forward, the company envisions even faster charging rates, as they work towards advancing the speed and efficiency of their technology.

Designed with the needs of bus operators in mind, Custom Denning’s pantograph system offers a flexible and versatile solution. Operators are now equipped to fast-charge their buses, to meet tight service schedules, and maintain KPIs, all without compromising warranty conditions. This balance of speed, reliability, and assurance is a testament to Custom Denning’s dedication to quality and innovation.

These newly upgraded Element 2 buses are scheduled to begin their rollout in the upcoming weeks, with additional updates to be provided as they reach their new destinations.

Element panto.jpg (36.35 KiB) Viewed 803 times

[trackless tram]

462 kWh sounds like world leading battery capacity on a 12m bus. What battery technology is used here?

[tonyp]

462 kWh sounds like world leading battery capacity on a 12m bus. What battery technology is used here?

NMC battery.

[SpanningViaduct]

The pantograph Elements battery capacity is up 80kW on the standard E2 (382kWh). Most likely by strapping another module to one of the roof packs. But that inevitably comes at the cost of an added half a tonne (or more) in kerb weight. How many pax will these Elements be licensed to carry with the larger battery cap?

[tonyp]

The pantograph Elements battery capacity is up 80kW on the standard E2 (382kWh). Most likely by strapping another module to one of the roof packs. But that inevitably comes at the cost of an added half a tonne (or more) in kerb weight. How many pax will these Elements be licensed to carry with the larger battery cap?

The question that nobody in the local industry seems willing to address yet. The agencies and operators don't seem to care that an 80 passenger bus is reduced to a capacity of 60 and the manufacturers are happy to sell more buses to make up the capacity.

[trackless tram]

The hybrid no longer appears to be on the territory of CD anymore. Perhaps it was delivered.

[tonyp]

https://www.customdenning.com.au/post/s ... operations

[alleve]

They've got a step inside! What's that about?

[tonyp]

They've got a step inside! What's that about?

UK midibus, probably not enough space for batteries on the roof, so they're under the floor. I think they've also got the Australian model with the low floor over there. Even in Europe, midibuses tend to be low-entry only because of space constraints. Low floor are 12 metres and upwards.

[trackless tram]

It's possible the contract didn't stipulate a low floor. Low floor buses under 10 metres are very common in some places; in these cases, the batteries are typically on the roof and spaces created by raising rows of seats. They'll carry less battery capacity, often around 315 kWh on a 10 metre bus and 260 kWh on a 9 metre bus. Still, this is enough for a typical day.