Eberspaecher to make electric AC systems for hybrid and electric buses in expanded Bangalore plant

Eberspaecher is expanding its production capacities for bus air-conditioning systems in Bangalore, India. By moving to a new plant twice the size at the beginning of September, the automotive supplier says it is responding to the increasing demand of Asian manufacturers for efficient bus thermal management systems. 

Eberspaecher, a leading manufacturer of bus air-conditioning solutions, moved into a new plant in Bangalore at the beginning of September. Since 2010, the company has been manufacturing bus air-conditioning systems for the Asian market in India.

“Last year, we reached our capacity limit at our previous location,” said Oliver Wels, General Manager, Eberspaecher Climate Control Systems Bus & Coach. “But the demand for high-performance thermal management systems for greater comfort in city buses and coaches is growing in Asia. That is why we are investing in India as a strategically important export market.”

Make in India: Electric bus AC systems for the Asian market
By moving into the new, modernised plant, Eberspaecher has doubled its production capacities: The approximately 6,000 square metres now offers space for the production and assembly of further, partly new product lines in addition to logistics.Eberspaecher's electric roof-mounted air-conditioning system AC 136 AE HP has been specially tailored to the requirements of hybrid and electric buses.

“In the near future, we plan to produce electric air-conditioning systems for hybrid and electric buses in Bangalore – just like at our other locations worldwide,” said Wels. In future, up to 7,000 bus air-conditioning systems can be manufactured annually at the Indian plant, which will be used throughout Asia. The site currently employs around 100 people.

In a recent exclusive interview to Autocar Professional, Heinrich Baumann, Managing Partner and COO, Eberspaecher Group, said: "The Indian bus market certainly is a very important albeit only about 15 to 20 percent of the buses today are equipped with bus air-conditioning systems. In this market, we probably have a 30 percent market share and more or less work together with all bus manufacturers in India."

With production sites for bus air-conditioning systems in Germany, Poland, Brazil, the USA, Mexico and India, Eberspaecher is one of the world's leading system partners for bus manufacturers. The product portfolio ranges from classic pre-heaters and air-conditioning systems to complete thermal management systems. More than 700 service partners worldwide offer comprehensive technical support and professional spare parts management.

Also read: Eberspaecher air-conditions electric buses from BYD and Golden Dragon for Israel's public transport system

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Interview with Heinrich Baumann, Managing Partner and COO, Eberspaecher Group, appears in Autocar Professional's September 1 issue