In full gear EKOVA ELECTRIC

in Full gear

EKOVA ELECTRIC is a dynamic company providing tram and trolleybus maintenance, repairs and production for a number of European public transport operators. Two years ago the company launched its own successful product, Ekova Electron, an electro bus which has since been deployed in public transport in a number of European cities. Romana Moares reports.

EKOVA ELECTRIC provides tram repair for both its owner, Ostrava Public Transport Company, and many other major European public transport operators. The company also manufactures and modernises trams, suburban track vehicles and trolleybuses to customers’ documentation and, within its complementary programme, provides the production of tram and trolleybus components, welding courses and varnishing of vehicles and parts.

“The company was established in 2011 as a 100 per cent owned subsidiary of the Ostrava Public Transport Company by divesting its tram repairs business,” says Ondřej Karpita, EKOVA’s Marketing and Sales Manager. “That means that we are a direct successor of a long and successful tradition started in 1894 in the industrial Ostrava region, and we are following on from the central workshops in Ostrava-Martinov built in 1969 – one of the largest repair premises in the Czech Republic.”

In line with customers’ requirements

The company’s facilities in Ostrava-Martinov are equipped with modern machines and technologies and are soon to be extended in line with its plans to increase capacity and develop new production technologies.

The current production programme includes the manufacture of new trams and accessories as well as vehicle shells, interior and exterior equipment, installation of electric equipment, complete vehi-

cle painting and final installation of all devices according to customer requirements. The company offers both overhauls and medium-size scheduled repairs and maintenance of tram vehicles, as well as carrying out repairs to trams after traffic accidents. Tram modernisations and conversions are carried out as required by customers and may include installation of low-floor parts, replacement of electrical equipment, replacement of steps, outer sheet metal covering, air conditioning and other elements.

EKOVA also carries out the installation of traction equipment in all types of trolleybuses, including alternative drives (diesel installation, battery operation), and performs routine tests in accordance with all necessary standards as well as renovation and testing of new trolleybuses. In the past 10 years, the company has completed installations of over 300 trolleybuses for local and international customers.

electric focus

In 2016, EKOVA ELECTRIC achieved a major milestone with the introduction of two types of electric-powered buses: a classic cardan design and a more progressive solution – favoured particularly in western markets – with engines in the wheels. Ekova Ekectron is a 100 per cent electric-driven low floor bus made in 10.5m, 12m and 18m lengths, offered with various modifications as desired by customers. The bus has stirred considerable interest, particularly in Germany and Sweden.

“Most of our investments in 2016 went into product development and related activities focused on electro mobility: not only on the development of our own electric vehicles but also on the development of their charging systems. Now we are starting to work on the development of the third generation of our electrobus. Another development project focuses on partial trolleybuses, i.e. trolleybuses equipped with a battery as a backup drive source,” explains the Sales and Marketing Manager, adding that the electromobility market is developing fast. “We strive to keep up with current trends to meet the needs of our customers, public transport operators as well as private transport companies.”

Clean mobility

About 70 per cent of EKOVA’s turnover is generated by its export markets. The electrobuses are sold to Germany and Scandinavia and it has partnered with other companies in order to modernise trams for Swedish and Estonian customers.

Within the next two years the company is going to focus on further improving productivity and expanding its manufacturing capacity. “Our core business will remain the same: maintenance, production and modernisation of trams and the continued development of in-house electric vehicles modified according to individual customer requests,” says Mr Karpita. “We want to increase sales of our products both in the domestic and export markets, particularly in those focused on so-called clean mobility. To ensure that our products are competitive, we will strive to boost productivity, reduce production costs and improve production and pre-production processes management.”

And with the rising potential of the electric vehicle sector, EKOVA ELECTIC seems to be in the right place at the right time.