Inadequate Air Conditioning on Wiesbaden Buses: ESWE's Response Regarding Cooling Systems
In the sweltering heat of this week's 40-degree temperatures in Wiesbaden, passengers on city buses have been enjoying a comfortable ride, as no complaints about high temperatures have been reported to ESWE-Verkehr. However, it's not all smooth sailing for the bus air conditioning systems, which are subjected to high stress under extreme temperatures, much like those in cars.
The air conditioning issue in buses is a concern for some passengers, particularly during longer journeys. The problem can be exacerbated by the entry of external heat into the vehicle through opened bus doors. This is a challenge that ESWE-Verkehr acknowledges, and they set the air conditioning in their buses to keep the internal temperature about 4 to 5 degrees below the external temperature to combat this issue.
The air conditioning in buses is subjected to a greater load than in cars due to frequent door openings. This is because the air conditioning in city buses is automatically regulated by the vehicle itself. However, when temperatures are far above 30 degrees, the air conditioning can have problems and failures.
ESWE-Verkahr has not intentionally shut off the air conditioning to save energy, as some may suspect. They are instead investing in modern electric buses equipped with innovative thermal management systems. These systems significantly reduce the energy needed for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), which is crucial in electric buses as the air conditioning system must balance cooling the passenger compartment while conserving battery energy.
One example of these modern buses is the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro electric bus, which has been widely adopted in several German cities, including Wiesbaden. These buses utilize advanced thermal management to reduce HVAC energy consumption by about 40% compared to conventional buses. They also feature heat pumps to efficiently heat the passenger area, helping to maintain comfortable interior conditions even during extreme weather and extending battery range and longevity.
ESWE-Verkehr is gradually integrating these newer electric bus models with enhanced climate control into their fleet, demonstrating their commitment to providing passengers with more comfortable and sustainable transport options despite the challenges posed by extreme heat.
Other passengers prefer outdoor-living due to the high internal temperatures in city buses during extremely hot weather, especially during longer journeys. Home-and-garden might be a more comfortable choice for some, as opposed to the air conditioning issues in buses.
