IVECO BUS inaugurated E-BENCH, its new testing facility unique in Europe
IVECO BUS officially inaugurated its new testing and validation facility, called E-BENCH, in the presence of elected officials, public transport authorities, key account customers and partners on September 22nd. IVECO BUS is thus creating an innovative facility unique in Europe, located in the R&D center in Vénissieux, the global headquarters of Iveco Group's bus and coach activities.
E-BENCH is a real asset that will play a key role in the energy transition, which is the responsibility of all mobility players.
Vénissieux, 25 September 2023
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Stéphane Espinasse - Head of IVECO BUS Commercial Operations and Product Management and Solène Grange - General Manager of Iveco France.
IVECO BUS, a leading manufacturer in sustainable mobility, is constantly innovating to offer clean and efficient transport solutions. To maintain its technological lead, IVECO BUS has chosen to equip its R&D center in Vénissieux with a testing and validation facility called E-BENCH, unique in Europe. Extremely versatile, E-BENCH allows testing of both individual components and complete vehicles in real driving conditions, simulating all types of missions and climates.
"We are proud to celebrate the completion of this unique and innovative project, which will allow us to further accelerate the development and market time of our vehicles equipped with the latest technologies and powered by diverse propulsions. It demonstrates to our customers that they are receiving clean, sustainable and efficient mobility solutions for their urgent energy transition challenges," stated Stéphane Espinasse, Head of IVECO BUS Commercial Operations and Product Management.
Fully operational since July 2023, E-BENCH has extensive testing capabilities with a roller dynamometer, climate bench, bench for individual components, complete HIL (Hardware-in-the-loop) bench for testing all components together, and compatibility with electric and hydrogen propulsion vehicles.
The E-BENCH consists of interconnected cells that allow testing of vehicles and, most importantly, functional models called SKATE. The main test cell can simulate the dynamics of the vehicle via two loading machines while simulating extreme climatic conditions and combining climatic functions (between -15°C and +55°C in all seasons). These constraints generate an airflow of up to 210,000 m3/h.
The new E-BENCH project (facility and development) represents a total investment of 6.2 million euros for IVECO BUS.
The development phase of the project was co-funded by the French Government through the France 2030’ Future Investment Program, operated by ADEME, the French Agency for Ecological Transition.
IVECO BUS
IVECO BUS is a brand of Iveco Group N.V. (EXM: IVG), a global leader in commercial and specialty vehicles, powertrain, and financial services, listed on the Borsa Italiana in Milan.
With a worldwide presence and a leading position in Europe in sustainable public transport, IVECO BUS supports public and private operators in all their missions, with an offer of global mobility solutions available in different energies, such as electric or powered by compressed natural gas compatible with biomethane.
The overall offer includes:
- school, intercity and tourism coaches;
- standard and articulated city buses, including BRT dedicated versions; city midibuses
- minibuses for all passenger transport missions.
- connectivity and fleet management services available through IVECO ON
- a portfolio of products and services with Energy Mobility Solutions, from simulations and design to the supply of charging stations, and installation and maintenance of the charging infrastructure
The extensive IVECO BUS and IVECO service network guarantees assistance around the world wherever an Iveco Bus vehicle is at work.
IVECO BUS employs over 5,000 people across five production units, in Annonay and Rorthais, France, Vysoké Myto, Czech Republic, Brescia and Foggia, Italy.
For further information about IVECO BUS: www.ivecobus.com
For further information, please contact:
Isabelle FILLONNEAU
Mobile + 33 6 87 71 36 24
