The global popularity of new energy buses (NEBs)—including electric buses (EBs) and hybrid electric buses (HEBs)—has redefined the requirements for bus air conditioning systems. Unlike traditional fuel-powered buses, NEBs rely on battery power or hybrid energy, making the air conditioning unit not just a “comfort component,” but a key factor affecting the vehicle’s range, battery life, and overall energy efficiency. Thus, collaborative development between bus air conditioning and NEBs, centered on technical adaptation and energy efficiency optimization, has become an industry priority.
Technical adaptation is the foundation of this collaboration. For electric buses, the biggest challenge lies in balancing air conditioning use with battery range. We have addressed this by developing a low-power CO₂ air conditioning system specifically for EBs: its power consumption is reduced by 25% compared to conventional electric bus air conditioners, thanks to the optimized refrigerant cycle and variable-speed compressor. Additionally, we have integrated the air conditioning system with the bus’s battery management system (BMS), allowing it to dynamically adjust energy usage based on the battery’s state of charge (SoC)—prioritizing driving power when the battery is low, and ensuring passenger comfort when the battery is sufficient.
For hybrid electric buses, the focus is on leveraging the engine’s waste heat to reduce energy consumption. Our CO₂ air conditioning system for HEBs is equipped with a waste heat recovery module: when the engine is running, the system uses the engine’s waste heat for heating, instead of consuming battery power. This not only cuts the bus’s heating energy consumption by 40% but also reduces wear on the battery, extending its service life by 1-2 years.
Energy efficiency optimization further deepens the collaboration. We have introduced intelligent load-sensing technology into NEB air conditioning systems: the system automatically adjusts cooling/heating output based on real-time passenger load (detected via in-vehicle sensors). For example, during off-peak hours with few passengers, it reduces output by 30% to save energy; during peak hours with full passenger capacity, it maintains maximum output to ensure comfort. This technology has been validated in a Chinese city’s electric bus fleet, where it helped increase the buses’ daily operating range by 80 km—solving a major pain point for NEB operators.
Looking ahead, as NEBs evolve toward higher battery capacity and faster charging, bus air conditioning systems will need to keep pace: for instance, developing ultra-fast pre-cooling/pre-heating functions (to prepare the cabin temperature while the bus is charging) and integrating with vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems to optimize energy scheduling. By continuing to strengthen collaboration with NEB manufacturers, we can create more synergistic solutions, driving the sustainable development of the global NEB industry.
