Tassima Auto Company transitions large-scale vehicles like buses and commercial trucks to electric powertrains
In an innovative collaboration, Tassima and IAV have converted a 1974 MAN SD 200 diesel bus into an eco-friendly electric sightseeing vehicle. This retrofit project, showcased at the IAA 2018, demonstrates the potential for transforming vintage vehicles into sustainable transport options.
- Electric Drivetrain Installation
The heart of the conversion is the replacement of the original diesel engine with an electric motor and the installation of a set of high-capacity batteries. This transformation allows the bus to operate emission-free, significantly reducing its environmental impact.
- Preserving the Retro Aesthetic
While modernizing its propulsion system, Tassima and IAV maintained the classic exterior and interior look of the 1974 bus, giving it a nostalgic yet sustainable appeal.
- Modern Control and Safety Systems
The bus includes updated electronic controls for handling, braking, and battery management, ensuring safe and reliable operation as an electric vehicle.
- Enhanced Passenger Comfort
Tassima and IAV upgraded elements such as lighting and heating to be compatible with the electric power system, improving the comfort for passengers without compromising eco-friendliness.
- Demonstration of Sustainable Retrofits
This project showcases the possibility of converting vintage vehicles into eco-friendly transport options, blending historical design with modern sustainability.
Originally in service with Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) and converted into a sightseeing bus in the 1990s, this "stinker" of a bus has been given a new lease of life. With the electric drive IAV Elocity, provided by IAV, a leading engineering partner for the automotive industry, and other components like on-board chargers, DC/DC converters, and a water cooling system, the converted MAN SD 200 is now a practically noise- and vibration-free tour, a significant improvement over its diesel counterparts.
Tassima estimates that around 100 sightseeing buses in Germany and around 500 in all of Europe could be converted into environmentally friendly tourist buses using the retrofit method. The prototype of the converted MAN SD 200 has a range of approximately 120 km.
Visitors at the IAA 2018, hosted in halls 8/9, can experience the same retrofit electric vehicle by taking a test ride. The Tassima stand is also recommended for those who want to witness the same transformation first-hand.
Tassima aims to bring environmentally friendly vehicles onto the streets, prove sustainable business pays off, and make a difference in politics. With their investment of 14 million euros in a conversion plant in Brandenburg's Ragow, they are one step closer to achieving this goal.
- This initiative utilizes state-of-the-art technology in installing an electric drivetrain and modern control systems, allowing a classic 1974 MAN SD 200 bus to be transformed into an emission-free sightseeing vehicle, showcasing the seamless blend of vintage design with contemporary sustainability.
- On the lifestyle front, the bus preserves its nostalgic aesthetic while incorporating upgraded amenities for optimal passenger comfort and safety, redefining urban tours by offering a quiet, environmentally-friendly experience that resonates with the values of modern city dwellers.
