Eberspacher Group has opened a new plant in Przemyśl, Poland where production of thermal management systems for electric city buses and coaches has begun. Up to 20,000 systems will roll off the production line each year.
“Due to the increasing demand for electric buses we need to expand our capabilities for bus air conditioning systems,” explains Jörg Steens, CEO of Eberspacher Group. The Bus and Coach business unit has been producing in Poland for seven years. First as part of the Eberspacher site in Oława. Where vehicle heaters continue to be produced for all types of drives. About 100 employees are now moving into the new building. In addition to the relocated production lines and the central spare parts warehouse, serial production of a new thermal management system for electric city buses and coaches from leading international manufacturers is being built there. Up to 20,000 systems will roll off the production line each year.
“With approximately 30 percent more capacity than the previous site, we are ideally positioned for current and future e-mobility orders,” emphasizes Jörg Steins. Over the next three to five years, Eberspacher plans to grow Przemysl to 150 employees. “I believe that this cooperation with such reputable partners will promote the dynamic development of our community,” explains Tymotusz Drabschok, Mayor of the Municipality of Olsznka.
The new building on 7R Park Przylesie industrial estate is just two kilometers from the A4/E40 freeway junction. “Apart from the location, the main focus during construction was environmental aspects,” explains Oliver Wells, executive vice president of the bus and coach business unit. Plant operation reduces CO₂ emissions by at least 50 percent and primary energy requirements by 70 percent compared to a building constructed according to Polish building regulations. Heating and cooling systems based on photovoltaic systems and heat pumps are the main contributors. In addition to production, the new site also includes production-related areas such as production planning, order processing, purchasing and control.
In addition to the lines transferred from Oława, two new production lines are being built. Eberspacher will build it AC138 EVO Thermal management system here from January 2025. “The AC138 EVO with its patented reversal of the air circuit is our high-tech and market-defining top product for electromobility,” says Oliver Wells. Developed specifically for hybrid and battery-electric buses, the heat pump impresses with its low system complexity and high energy efficiency. Eberspaecher is offering systems with the climate-friendly refrigerant CO₂, R744.
