Compressor specialist BITZER showcased its Speedlite ELV21 compressor series. Announced as environmentally friendly air-conditioning and heat pump solutions, the new series has been designed for mobile use, such as in buses and trains.
“Keeping in mind the e-mobility drive across the world, the new ELV21 will help BITZER address the growing demand in electric buses. Our smallest type ELV21 will be available in two different versions, ELV21XX-40M and ELV21XX-02G, and the difference will be that the former can run on 400 volts AC power through an internal inverter and the latter can be used together with an external inverter for 24 volts DC operation”, informed Mr. Patrick Illgen, Market Sector Manager – Bus, Sales Transport, BITZER.
“The compressor family named Speedlite will be ideal for fully electric and hybrid buses. It will be lightweight as well as compact and ensure smooth running operation with low vibration. Speedlite ELV21XX-40M compressors are now ready for series production and the ELV21XX-02G will follow in the first quarter of 2019,” he added.
Mr. Stephan Luerssen, Managing Director, BITZER Refrigeration Technology (China) Co. Ltd., said: “India has great potential for air-conditioned buses, just like China – both are highly populated countries with many roads and an emerging middle class that asks for comfort when travelling by bus. The subtropical or tropical climate also requires reliable bus air-conditioning.”
“Whether it comes through an electric bus or the existing conventional fuel, India’s aspirational growing middle class deserves better options in buses as the roads are already jam-packed with cars. Comfortable, convenient inter-city AC buses are the need of the hour. Hence the demand for AC compressors will definitely grow in the next two to three years with the growth of AC buses in India.” he added.
Echoing Mr. Luerssen’s prediction, Mr. Harvinder S. Bhatia, Managing Director, BITZER India Pvt. Ltd., said: “FY 18-19, particularly on the transport front, has been really good us. We are looking to grow at least by 20 per cent in the coming three to five years. The superior performance of our compressors, coupled with our service stations known as ‘green points’ spread across the north, west, south and east of India enabled us to be as close to our customers as possible.”
“This shortens replacement times if a compressor should have to be repaired. We are also building the stock of serviced compressors that will further enhance our service support to most of our customers as well as keep ample stock of new compressors required by the AC manufactures to be delivered in time.” he said.
With the BITZER brand’s well-known reliability all over the globe, whether the product is sourced from Germany or China, the company aims to provide a great deal of support to people working with bus manufacturers, so that everybody benefits from the opportunities for growth in India.