Voith Group and Orten Electric-Trucks enter into strategic partnership

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.

About Orten Electric-Trucks

Since 2015 Orten Electric-Trucks Bernkastel-Kues and Wittlich converts with its partner EFAS Elektro-Fahrzeuge Stuttgart commercial vehicles of all weight classes from diesel to 100 percent E-drive. Orten Electric Trucks GmbH belongs to the Orten Fahrzeugbau Group, a traditional, successful medium-sized company. Since 2017 approximately 100 commercial vehicles have been electrified annually in a new production facility at the Wittlich location. The Orten Group employs over 130 employees and generates a turnover of approximately 30 million euros.

About the Voith Group

The Voith Group is a global technology company. With its broad portfolio of systems, products, services and digital applications, Voith sets standards in the markets of energy, oil & gas, paper, raw materials and transport & automotive. Founded in 1867, the company today has more than 19,000 employees, sales of $4.8 billion and locations in over 60 countries worldwide and is thus one of the larger family-owned companies in Europe.

The Group Division Voith Turbo is part of the Voith Group and a specialist for intelligent drive technology, systems as well as tailor-made services. With its innovative and smart products, Voith offers highest efficiency and reliability. Customers from highly diverse industries such as oil and gas, energy, mining and mechanical engineering, ship technology, rail and commercial vehicles rely on the advanced technologies and digital applications of Voith.

The Voith Electrical Drive System consists of an energy-efficient 340 kW electric IPMS-motor to power solo, double-decker and articulated buses.