Public transit operator Keolis Downer has selected Siemens to deliver charging solutions to its new North Lakes bus depot in Brisbane, Australia. The depot, which is expected to be in service by February 2023, will power 16 electric buses serving some 60,000 residents in the city’s northern suburbs.

Siemens will supply 5 Sicharge UC200 and 16 Sicharge UC Dispenser charging units capable of delivering a peak power output of 200 kW. Siemens will also provide commissioning, spares, and preventive maintenance services for the depot, supporting a fleet of electric buses built in Queensland by Australian manufacturer BusTech Group.

Keolis Downer has also engaged Siemens to supply Sicharge UC charging equipment at its Hamilton depot in Newcastle, New South Wales.

The Siemens Sicharge UC platform offers compact, sequential and high-power charging options capable of delivering up to 800 kW at 1,000 V. Operators have the option to scale up by adding up to five dispensers plus a pantograph to each charging center.

“The flexibility of the Siemens Sicharge UC product family has enabled nations across the world to reap the benefits of electrified transport,” said Siemens Australia Pacific CEO Jeff Connolly. “Operators require flexible, robust and scalable solutions. As more bus networks move to embrace new electric bus technology, electrical and charging infrastructure will need to scale to meet this demand.”

Keolis Downer CEO David Franks said selecting Siemens has ensured the operator can future-proof its e-bus operations. “With electric bus technology developing at a fast pace, bus operators require holistic charging and depot management solutions that we can rely on to grow alongside the technology it powers and market demand. Siemens provides a world-class platform, enabling us to scale up quickly.”

Source: Siemens