Konvekta Demonstrates Why the Overall System Makes the Difference in Electric Bus Thermal Management
At Euro Bus Expo 2026, Konvekta will demonstrate why the overall system, not just the refrigerant, makes the difference in electric bus thermal management.
Electrification is fundamentally changing the requirements for heating and air-conditioning systems. While vehicles with conventional drive units could use waste heat for heating, the heat required in electric buses must be provided and distributed efficiently.
At the same time, not only the driver’s compartment and passenger cabin, but also the battery and other temperature-sensitive components must be maintained within defined temperature ranges. Thermal management has therefore become an essential part of a vehicle’s operational and energy management strategy. For operators, energy consumption, driving range, passenger comfort and cost-effectiveness are particularly important.
The CO₂ heat pump as a key component
The heat pump plays a central role in this process, enabling existing thermal energy to be distributed wherever it is needed within the vehicle. In addition to energy extracted from the ambient air, waste heat from the battery, drive unit components or other systems can also be integrated, depending on the vehicle and system architecture. This helps to reduce the amount of energy drawn from the traction battery for heating.
CO₂ heat pump systems provide efficient heating even at low ambient temperatures and are also well suited to vehicle preconditioning. With a properly designed system, the heat pump can cover most of the heating demand during normal operation. Depending on the system configuration, additional electric or conventional heating may no longer be required, or may only be needed as a backup.
The refrigerant alone is not the deciding factor
For many years, Konvekta has placed a strong emphasis on CO₂ as a natural refrigerant. It is non-flammable, PFAS-free and has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 1.
However, the choice of refrigerant is only one part of the overall technical assessment. What matters is how the heat pump, heat sources and control systems work together and how they are integrated into the vehicle. Energy efficiency, operational safety and cost-effectiveness must also be considered across the entire life cycle.
In addition to CO₂, Konvekta works closely with customers to develop heat pump systems using alternative refrigerants, such as propane. CO₂ remains a key technological focus for the company, based on many years of experience, proven series production and its specific properties.
Different vehicles require different solutions
Thermal management requirements vary depending on vehicle type and operating profile. Konvekta’s CO₂ heat pump technology, with more than 15,000 systems proven in the field, can be tailored to individual vehicle requirements using over 800 parameters.
This also allows specific requirements to be addressed, for example in electric double-deck buses with two passenger decks and different thermal zones. The result is a proven system that can be individually integrated into the vehicle concept.
Konvekta looks forward to welcoming visitors and discussing the thermal management requirements of modern electric buses.
Visit Konvekta on stand 284 at Euro Bus Expo 2026, 3–5 November, NEC Birmingham.