COBUS Industries, a global leader in airport mobility, has been pioneering innovative transportation solutions for over 30 years. With a presence in 350 airports across 115 countries and nearly 5,000 buses sold, COBUS is committed to delivering high-performance, durable products that ensure sustainable and efficient airport operations. Recognising the critical role of battery health in its electric bus fleet, COBUS partnered with Hitachi ZeroCarbon to implement a comprehensive battery management solution. Initially contracting for a pilot programme of 24 buses, COBUS quickly expanded the project to 37 buses following successful deployment, with plans to onboard 124 buses by the end of 2025.
The Challenge
COBUS require enhanced visibility and deeper insights into the performance, warranty, and longevity of its electric bus batteries. Operating within the specific demands of airport environments, these buses experience different stress factors compared to typical city buses, due to unique circumstances of state-of-charge idling, varying temperatures, and shorter journey lengths.
To optimise battery lifespan and inform procurement strategies, including second-life usage planning, COBUS require a battery OEM-agnostic monitoring system. For example, by analysing battery degradation rates under these specific operational conditions, COBUS can negotiate more effective warranty terms with battery suppliers, reducing long-term replacement costs. Furthermore, insights into how different battery chemistries perform under airport stress related factors allow COBUS to select the most suitable battery technology for future bus purchases, optimising both performance and range. This data also helps predict remaining useful life, informing decisions about when to upgrade or repurpose batteries for second-life applications which maximises their overall value.
The Hitachi ZeroCarbon Solution
Hitachi’s telematics-agnostic approach enables seamless integration with existing telematics providers, combining battery data and vehicle and route mapping information for a holistic view of battery asset performance and health. Our data science professionals analyse live and monthly reports, providing COBUS with key performance indicators on battery health, usage and warranty. This granular insight into each battery minimises potential degradation and proactively flags possible issues before they escalate into faults.
Benefits to COBUS
- Enhanced battery health management: Real-time monitoring and analysis of battery performance with the aim to optimise usage and extend battery life.
- Reduced operational costs: Proactive identification and resolution of potential issues minimise downtime and maintenance expenses.
- Data-driven decision making: Access to comprehensive battery data and insights informs procurement strategies and second-life usage planning.
- Improved fleet management: Enhanced visibility into battery performance enables more efficient fleet operations and resource allocation.
- Sustainable operations: Optimised battery usage contributes to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly airport transportation system.
Future Plans
The partnership between COBUS and HZC demonstrates a shared commitment to innovation and sustainability in airport mobility. By leveraging HZC’s advanced battery management technology, COBUS is ensuring the long-term performance and efficiency of its electric bus fleet, while enhancing the passenger experience and contributing to a greener future for airport transportation.
Patricia Vasconcelos, CEO of COBUS Industries said: “The airport network has a net-zero roadmap just like any other industry, and we’re playing an important role in this by delivering sustainable mobility solutions. But electrifying our bus network is just the start of the passenger experience we want to provide. To keep our assets healthy and running efficiently for the long term, we need to understand how to manage our EV batteries to optimise routes and retain the value of our assets. With Hitachi ZeroCarbon, we have a globally scalable solution that is driving real business value.”