Bombardier Premieres Game Changing E-Mobility Solutions at the UITP World Congress in Geneva

May 28, 2013 11:45 AM ET

May 28, 2013 /3BL Media/ - Rail technology leader Bombardier Transportation today launched its entry into a new market segment by demonstrating its groundbreaking BOMBARDIER PRIMOVEe-mobility solution developed for the bus sector.

The PRIMOVE system of wireless e-mobility has already been successfully proven in tram operations. Bombardier has further developed this technology to deliver the same benefits to the electric bus sector, with passengers in Europe potentially enjoying emission-free bus journeys from as early as 2014. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience for themselves a smooth, noise free ride on an
e-bus equipped with the PRIMOVE propulsion and controls system at UITP, Geneva.

The new expanded portfolio of PRIMOVE technology now includes ultra-light PRIMOVE batteries and the PRIMOVEpropulsion and control system that optimises energy efficiency for road vehicles. The market for e-buses is set to grow substantially in the next 10 years and Bombardier technology is set to be a driver of this growth. 

Under the theme “Stepping into the Future”, in addition to PRIMOVE, Bombardier is demonstrating its continued technological leadership in the mass transit sector. Featured are solutions that are currently being delivered to increase capacity on some of the world’s most challenging projects and encouraging a modal shift from cars to rail. These include the new, high capacity BOMBARDIER INNOVIA Monorail 300 system that is being provided for São Paulo to transport half a million passengers per day. The BOMBARDIER CITYFLO 650 CBTC system currently being delivered to London Underground for its biggest ever signalling upgrade encompassing 40% of the network and four lines that transport 1.3 million passengers per day, will also be featured.

In addition, visitors can learn about the driverless BOMBARDIER MOVIA metro, with first units already in test with Singapore’s Land Transport Authority. The fleet of 73 automated trains will operate on the Singapore Downtown Line, the longest driverless underground mass rapid transit line in the world, transporting around half a million passengers a day.

Bombardier continues to consolidate its leading market position in the light rail market. The most recent models of the BOMBARDIER FLEXITY family entered revenue service in Blackpool, UK, in April 2012 while manufacturing activities and deliveries are progressing for BVB in Basel, Switzerland; BVG in Berlin, Germany; Gold Coast and Melbourne, Australia; and Toronto, Canada. To date, 1,236 FLEXITY 100 per cent low-floor trams have been sold worldwide.

Jürg Baumgartner, Managing Director, Basel Transport Authority (BVB), said: “I’m convinced the City of Basel will get the best possible trams for its network. The FLEXITY tram outperforms all other vehicles by a massive margin. Traditionally, Basel’s trams have shaped the city’s identity. I believe that this region deserves a tram fleet that reflects our modern urban lifestyle and I am looking forward to the new trams entering service.”

The global rail industry is uniquely positioned to provide energy-efficient mobility for millions of people today and in the future, according to a study for the European rail industry association UNIFE. Global trends such as urbanisation (eight out of 10 people worldwide are expected to live in towns and cities by 2050), energy volatility, and environmental concerns point to a significant development of lower carbon, rail-based urban mass transit. This urban mass transit market is forecast to grow at a rate in the region of 6% per year reaching $24.3 billion US in 2017 from the total of $16.6 billion US verified in 2011. Also the global rail supply market is expected to grow steadily over the next five years. The total accessible market volume of $195 billion US per annum verified in 2011 is forecast to increase by 2.6% to just over $227 billion US in 2017.

For more information about Bombardier Transportation at the UITP World Congress and Exhibition 2013, visit  www.uitp.bombardier.com

Bombardier’s exhibition stand 2A600 is located in Hall 2. Bombardier will also provide a demonstration of its groundbreaking PRIMOVE technology in the outdoor exhibition area.

Note to Editors 
World premiere of PRIMOVE battery and propulsion
The first inductively charged e-bus featuring the convenient PRIMOVE wireless charging system has just been successfully tested in daily passenger operation in Mannheim, Germany. This week, Bombardier announces the expansion of the PRIMOVE portfolio with the launch of two new e-mobility solutions – the PRIMOVE battery system and the PRIMOVE propulsion and controls system.

The new PRIMOVE battery system is a lighter and faster charging high-power battery than any other on the market. It can charge more than three times faster and weighs 50 per cent less than comparable existing solutions. The newly presented PRIMOVE propulsion and controls system integrates sophisticated electrical driveline solutions with clever interfaces for all major vehicle components to significantly boost the overall efficiency and performance of electric buses.

With the expanded PRIMOVE e-mobility portfolio, Bombardier is introducing a complete package that allows cities and the transportation industry to easily incorporate true electric mobility. Bombardier is ideally positioned to meet the needs of the global market in electric buses. By 2020, the electric bus market is expected to represent 10 per cent of the city bus market at approximately 10,000 electric buses per annum.

Bombardier products in Switzerland
Switzerland, host of the 60th UITP congress and exhibition, is an ideal country in which to highlight mass transit solutions of today and the future because of its world-leading public transportation infrastructure. Bombardier has been present in Switzerland for several decades and has participated in the manufacture of around 70% of all rail vehicles currently operating on the Swiss rail network. The country is home to some of Bombardier’s most innovative products and two global Bombardier Engineering Competence Centres. Flagships of the Swiss intercity and regional transport network such as the ICN intercity tilting train and the IC2000 double-decker train, the popular Lok 2000 and the BOMBARDIER TRAXX locomotives, the NINA and RE Lötschberger regional trains, the Tram 2000, the iconic Cobra Tram in Zurich and the FLEXITYCityrunner Tram in Geneva, prove Bombardier’s leading contribution to the country’s transportation strategy. These vehicles have demonstrated high reliability throughout their many years of operation.

Bombardier is currently manufacturing new trams for the city of Basel, double deck intermediate coaches for S-Bahn Zurich and the BOMBARDIER TWINDEXX Swiss Express for SBB – a brand new generation of high speed, advanced technology double-deck trains that can save energy by 10% while travelling faster on existing tracks as it can increase curve speeds by up to 15%.

About Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation, a global leader in rail technology, offers the broadest portfolio in the rail industry and delivers innovative products and services that set new standards in sustainable mobility. BOMBARDIER ECO4 technologies – built on the four cornerstones of energy, efficiency, economy and ecology – conserve energy, protect the environment and help to improve total train performance for operators and passengers. Bombardier Transportation is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, and has a very diverse customer base with products or services in more than 60 countries. It has an installed base of over 100,000 vehicles worldwide.

About Bombardier
Bombardier is the world’s only manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.

Bombardier is headquartered in Montréal, Canada. Our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and we are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indexes. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, we posted revenues of $16.8 billion. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

Follow Bombardier Transportation on Twitter @BombardierRail.

Photos: TWINDEXX Swiss Express; PRIMOVE e-bus; INNOVIA Monorail 300 system for São Paulo

BOMBARDIER, CITYFLO, FLEXITY, INNOVIA, MOVIA, PRIMOVE, TRAXX, TWINDEXX andECO4 are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

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