Voith and e-truck manufacturer Orten Electric-Trucks enter into a strategic partnership to allow fleet operators to easily make the step towards e-mobility. The joint service enables the retrofitting of conventional diesel as well as hybrid and gas powered solo, double-decker and articulated buses, as well as light and medium trucks, with the state-of-the-art Voith Electrical Drive System (VEDS). In this way, the two companies are greatly contributing to emissions-free, sustainable transport.

With the retrofit option, Voith and new partner Orten are keeping the promise that drove the development of the fully electric VEDS in the first place: making the electrification of buses and trucks as easy and convenient as possible and contributing to climate protection, especially in cities.

Cost-efficient launch into e-mobility

“Thanks to electrification, transportation is on the verge of a tremendous shift towards cleaner and more sustainable operation,” says Alexander Denk, Vice president e-mobility at Voith. “But for many cities and operators, the acquisition of new electrically operated buses and trucks is a time-consuming and costly process. Our retrofit option offers a simple and cost-efficient way to future-proof vehicle fleets while contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions and mobility growth in cities.”

Powerful e-drive solution

Specially developed for the requirements of public transport, the Voith Electrical Drive System consists of an energy-efficient 340 kW electric IPMS-motor to power even double-decker, heavy articulated buses as well as trucks over significant distances. A water-cooled drive inverter system ensures very high power density, while the intelligent drive management unit (DMU) controls all the components and the system’s recuperation. In addition, the VEDS includes auxiliary inverters and a high-voltage power distribution box. All components are perfectly matched to achieve the highest efficiency possible.

Quick and easy retrofitting

The electric driveline is provided by Voith, while Orten will handle the vehicle integration. Customers can choose to have the VEDS retrofit-kit installed at their own site or have the vehicle integration done at Orten’s headquarters. Orten will exclusively fit them with the VEDS while contributing the battery, gateway and auxiliaries from its own portfolio. 

"With Voith's globally oriented sales and service network and Orten Electric-Trucks' many years of experience in the electrification of commercial vehicles, the strategic partnership between both companies offers operators the full range of services for the conversion to fully-electric drives," says Robert Orten, CEO Orten Electric-Trucks.