Battery Systems Selected for Tram and Electric Bus Programs

Forsee Power has been selected by Turkish vehicle manufacturer Bozankaya to supply battery systems for two new vehicle platforms: a catenary-free articulated tramway and a new generation of battery-electric buses. The programs highlight the growing role of onboard energy storage in both urban rail and electric bus transportation.

Battery System for Catenary-Free Tram Operation
Bozankaya’s new 20-meter articulated tram will incorporate the FORSEE PULSE 26 RAIL lithium-ion battery system. The vehicle features a three-section articulated design with a fully low-floor architecture and capacity for approximately 200 passengers.

The battery system enables catenary-free operation over distances of up to 20 kilometers. In this configuration, the tram operates both with conventional overhead line power and with onboard energy storage when travelling through areas where fixed electrification infrastructure is not installed.

This approach is increasingly adopted in urban rail systems where overhead wires may be undesirable in historic or architecturally sensitive city areas.

The system supports fast charging and allows extended off-wire operation using a single battery pack designed for rail applications. The first deployment will take place in Timișoara, which has placed an initial order for 10 tram vehicles as part of its tramway modernization program. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Battery Platform for Electric Buses
In addition to the tramway project, Bozankaya is launching a third generation of battery-electric buses equipped with the FORSEE ZEN 55 LFP battery system.

The buses will be available in both 12-meter and 18-meter configurations with battery capacities of up to 659 kWh. The lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery technology is designed to support long operational life and energy storage capacity for urban bus operations.

Electrification Across Multiple Vehicle Platforms
The collaboration builds on earlier projects between the two companies. In 2025, Bozankaya introduced pantograph-equipped trolleybuses using the FORSEE ZEN PLUS battery system for opportunity charging.

A longer 33-meter trolleybus version also adopted the FORSEE PULSE 15 battery system designed for fast charging at bus stops.

Expanding Energy Storage in Public Transport
Onboard battery systems are becoming an important component in the electrification of public transport fleets. In rail systems, energy storage enables trams to operate without continuous overhead electrification. In buses and trolleybuses, battery systems support fully electric propulsion or hybrid charging strategies.

By integrating battery technologies across tramways, buses and trolleybuses, vehicle manufacturers can reduce reliance on fixed infrastructure while maintaining operational flexibility across urban transit networks.

Edited by Industrial Journalist, Romila DSilva - Powered by AI