Made in Chile: Reborn Queltehue Heavy Duty, the first electric bus operating in Antarctica
Chile takes an unprecedented step and sets a new milestone in electromobility by launching the first electric bus manufactured in the country for use in Antarctica.
In a historic event for technological development and Chilean sustainability, Reborn Electric Motors and DAP announce the first electric bus made entirely in Chile that will operate in Antarctica.
This is how this achievement, which marks a significant advancement in electromobility under extreme conditions, highlights the innovative capacity of the national industry and lays the groundwork for medium and long-term collaboration between both Chilean companies.
The project was born from the initiative of DAP - the world's leading Antarctic air operator - who wanted to test the viability of an electric bus in its operations in the Antarctic Continent. In December 2023, DAP contacted Reborn Electric Motors to start a three-month trial period. From that date until March 2024, the tests were successful, leading DAP to purchase the bus and permanently add it to its operating fleet.
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The pilot was accompanied by engineer Nicolás Medina González from Reborn, who provided valuable technical knowledge during the process in Antarctica: "Seeing how the Queltehue Heavy Duty faced the harsh Antarctic conditions was a confirmation that Chilean engineering is up to any challenge", assures the expert from the national startup.
"This milestone represents a notable technological advancement, particularly in a context where it concerns the application of electric buses in extreme conditions. In Europe, major manufacturers conduct tests in Finland and the Sahara Desert. Reborn Electric Motors, proudly Chilean, has put its buses into operation both in the Atacama Desert and now in Antarctica, thus completing the validation of its technology in the most challenging environments. This validation will also allow for exploring the implementation of electric buses in rural areas of continental Chile, where this type of vehicle has not yet been operating", assure Ricardo Repenning and Felipe Cevallos, co-founders of Reborn Electric Motors.
For his part, Nicolás Pivcevic, CEO of DAP, assures that "this project reflects our commitment to sustainability and innovation. The introduction of this electric bus in Antarctica is a significant step towards more responsible operations with less impact on this unique environment".
Reborn Queltehue Heavy Duty: From Rancagua to Antarctica.
The Queltehue Heavy Duty model from Reborn Electric Motors is a 100% electric vehicle with a capacity for 24 people, notable for its robustness with a Marcopolo Senior G7 Heavy Duty body, which complies with the ECE R66.02 rollover standard.
Designed and developed to withstand the harsh conditions of underground mining, the Queltehue Heavy Duty is also capable of operating in extreme environments such as Antarctica, something not every electric bus could achieve.
Equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous motor, the Queltehue offers a maximum power of 215 kW and a maximum torque of 2430 Nm. The iconic electric bus is also fitted with pneumatic drum brakes, an ABS system, and regenerative braking, in addition to a parabolic leaf spring suspension with telescopic shock absorbers.
The seats are made of synthetic leather, with reclining models and three-point seatbelts. The climate control system includes forced heating and split-type air conditioning, and the telemetry system facilitates predictive maintenance.
Reborn and DAP Airlines: Start of Joint Work.
Founded in 2017 by Ricardo Repenning and Felipe Cevallos, Reborn Electric Motors is the first and only electric bus factory in Chile. With over 100 units operating in the Chilean industry and the unprecedented milestone of exporting the first electric bus developed in our country, starting with Brazil, Reborn has consolidated its position as a leader in zero-emission vehicles in Latin America.
In 2022, they inaugurated their factory in Rancagua and participated in COP28 in Dubai in 2023. Recently, they announced their international expansion with the export of their urban model to Brazil.
Meanwhile, DAP stands out for its commitment to Sustainability in Antarctica. Since its founding in 1980, DAP has been a benchmark in connectivity in complex areas, with a strong commitment to sustainability and the least possible impact on Antarctica.
The company encourages its passengers to become "Ambassadors of Antarctica", urging them to visit the continent respectfully and contribute to its conservation. With a track record of almost 44 years, DAP continues to innovate and create value for its customers, collaborators, communities, and the environment.
With this historic milestone, the collaboration between Reborn Electric Motors and DAP not only drives the development of Chilean technology, but also reinforces the commitment to environmental protection in Antarctica. Chile, once again, positions itself as a global leader in environmental protection and in the creation of technologies that challenge boundaries.