On the plane with a cool head
Summer is finally here. For many, it's time to go on vacation. Last year, around 14 million Germans took the plane. However, getting on a plane in hot temperatures is not always a pleasure. Temperatures are particularly high on airport aprons in summer. This is exactly where apron buses are used.
SHADE? NOT A CHANCE
9 August 2024 – Apron buses take passengers short distances from the gate to the aircraft. There is no shade to be found on the large asphalt surfaces; the vehicles are exposed to the sun. Due to the constant boarding and alighting of passengers, or longer waiting times with the doors open, warm outside air continuously flows into the vehicle interior during the summer months. To prevent the air in the buses from becoming too hot and stuffy for both passengers and drivers, the COBUS apron buses are equipped with air conditioning systems from Eberspächer.
COOL AIRPORT BUSES IN THE MALDIVES, ARUBA OR DUBAI
Apron buses from the global market leader COBUS transport passengers to more than 350 airports in over 110 countries, whether in the Maldives, Aruba or Dubai. Two Eberspächer products are used in the buses: the AC353 rooftop air conditioning system keeps the temperature in the passenger compartment constant, while the AC403 cools the driver's cab. Depending on the location and the local climate conditions and requirements, the buses are equipped with both or just one of the two air conditioning systems. Whether diesel or electric drive - both systems can be adapted to the respective drive type and are installed in the all-electric e.COBUS.
LONG-STANDING PARTNERSHIP
COBUS has been relying on Eberspächer expertise for more than 30 years. During this time, Eberspächer has already equipped several thousand buses worldwide with air conditioning systems for the Wiesbaden (Germany) -based company. “We are proud of the quality of our systems and the high international availability of service and spare parts,” emphasizes Oliver Wels, Executive Vice President of the Business Unit Bus & Coach at Eberspächer.
ONE PRODUCT – MANY APPLICATIONS
Eberspächer works with platform systems for many of its products. This means that the systems are not only developed for use in a specific application, but can also be adapted for different applications. For example, not only apron buses but also coaches are equipped with the AC353 inline roof air conditioning system.
GROWING PRODUCT PORTFOLIO
Eberspächer is currently expanding its broad product portfolio in the field of bus air conditioning with the new, innovative AC138 EVO platform with heat pump technology.
It can be adapted for both city buses and coaches with conventional and electric drive systems and works with CO₂ (R744) as a refrigerant. From 2025, the AC138 EVO will go into series production for the all-electric city bus of a leading international manufacturer. A further development is already in the works: Eberspächer is planning to launch the platform on the market for operation with propane (R290) as a refrigerant. In addition, the company is currently launching the compact and lightweight AC135 platform - with a wide range of available performance classes.