Customer Driven - the Ultimate EV Midi

In 2012 DESCH principals were responsible for the ground-up design of a new EV midibus concept for a major Canadian transit customer, relying on an extremely close working relationship with the customer. 

The customer demanded a 15 year service life on a small vehicle platform that could fit through narrow, historic city streets. An EV power train with an extended service life demanded a large battery pack for a small vehicle, capable of carrying the increased mass of the vehicle through a full day of service in extremely cold conditions. 

In addition to the power train development and validation, the entire chassis had to be developed anew to accommodate the customer's interior fitment requirements, as well as external, underfloor inductive charging. The climate added extensive special fitment for corrosion prevention, passenger comfort, de-icing and other extreme weather concerns. A completely low floor passenger compartment was achieved, with the entire EV power train and battery system packaged in an open area at the rear of the bus.

The EV midibus final design

midi #1 in build, 2013