on track for multiple success

Koncar Electric Vehicles is a market leader in the design and manufacture of electric rail and road transport vehicles. The company’s latest ‘low-level-entry’ multiple units represent a major success story for Koncar, along with its eco-friendly trams and other energy-efficient transport systems, as Philip Yorke reports.

Koncar Electric Vehicles was founded in Zagreb, Croatia in 1970 as part of a modern, integrated engineering group of more than 20 companies. From the outset the group has strived to produce outstanding energy-efficient electric rail and road vehicles and equipment. Headquartered in Jankomir, the largest industrial area of Zagreb, it operates from a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that extends to more than 20,000 square metres. This major manufacturing plant was designed specifically for the production and assembly of electric rail and road vehicles, and is strategically located close to the city’s main road and rail networks.

The main business of Koncar Electric Vehicles today concerns the development, production and modernisation of electric vehicles of all kinds and their related components. These operations are supported by teams of highly qualified service engineers who provide ‘aroundthe-clock’ customer support services.

Koncar Electric Vehicles owns all its extensive facilities and the equipment necessary to design, manufacture, overhaul, repair, reconstruct and modify electric rail vehicles and their components. This is in addition to the design and manufacture of infrastructure for its transport links with public road and railway networks.

optimising low-floor accessibility

Koncar’s latest eco-friendly vehicles offer superb travelling comfort, whether traveling by trams or railway vehicles. Koncar continues to set new standards in the practical ergonomics of these hard-working public vehicles. Their unique design and driving characteristics, along with their low floor access, has led to a major success story for the company, with order books at an all-time high.

Koncar’s electric multiple units, (EMUs) are the flagship products of the group. The new models provide uniform space along the entire length of the train, without partitions or stairs, and floor height is optimal for 550mm high platforms. In addition, each passenger unit has up to eight doors on each side of the carriage,

thus offering fast and easy exchange of passengers, when arriving at city terminals. The company’s advanced EMUs also boast fully air-conditioned passenger compartments and driver’s cabs.

These latest electric EMUs from Koncar also boast a number of innovative features that includes its own programming and support systems and diagnostic monitoring facilities. Today these modern units offer standing space for 250 people and space for a further 140 seated passengers. The latest electric multiple-unit trains have the most advanced vacuum toilets, which are located in each passenger compartment.

The electric train’s main frame is comprised of a four-part weldedsteel construction that is linked with robust, steel universal joints. The body consists of aluminium sandwich panels and windows. In addition, all bogies are equipped with the latest air-suspension comfort systems.

Each new vehicle’s three-phase asynchronous traction motors are fed from an electric IGBT inverter and are able to deliver high acceleration at start-up and a top speed of more than 160 km/h. Furthermore, the sophisticated steering and diagnostic system utilises a microprocessor system that links the vehicle’s sub-systems with the most modern communication tools, thereby allowing the linking-up of three trains in just one smooth operation.

Super-functional tramcars

Koncar’s latest contribution to a more stylish and more eco-friendly transport system is the TMK 2200. This vehicle has proved to be a major success since it was first introduced in 2005. Today the vehicle has evolved to become a top seller and a firm intercity favourite. The latest version is more advanced and more user-friendly than ever. The low-floor TMK 2200 tram is a super-functional vehicle that offers an entirely new approach to every-day inter-city travel.

The company’s latest TMK2200 tramcar is a 100 per cent lowfloor vehicle that offers state-of-the-art benefits with a 300mm entrance height, air-conditioning, ergonomic seats, and panoramicview windows. This all comes together with finely-tuned suspension and special rubber-cushioned wheels that turns the travel experience from a ‘ride’ into a ‘glide’.

The tram’s flexible, articulated body is constructed of welded-steel panels with individually powered bogies. Its asynchronous motors deliver a top speed of 70 km/h, which is actually the maximum speed limit in most city centres. However, in many cases it is often 60 km/h or less. The vehicle’s main control unit is connected directly to its integrated sub-systems, which includes brakes, converters, suspension, doors and air-conditioning units.

Growing demand for eco-vehicles

Koncar is continuing to see strong growth in the demand for its latest eco-friendly trams and trains, with exports extending to Turkey, Serbia, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Macedonia and now beyond to the Russian Federation countries. A company spokesperson told Industry Europe, “We are aware of the global demand for greater efficiency and cleaner engines.

“Today we are clearly focused on developing cleaner and more ecofriendly processes and power units. Our goal is to optimise every stage of production to create the most efficient and environmentally-friendly engines possible. All of our management and manufacturing processes are fully certified to meet the strictest EU regulations, including ISO 9001 for management systems, and ISO 14001 for environmental care and planning.

“It is important to note that everything that is produced by Koncar is developed and designed in-house, with the exception of the wheels. This means that the copyright and many patents relating to our systems remain the property of Koncar Electric Vehicles. This includes everything from the design and development of electric motors, bogies and power-trains to the overall design and testing of the completed passenger vehicle.” n For further details of Koncar’s latest innovative, eco-friendly vehicles and transport systems visit: www.koncar.com