German automotive supplier Eberspaecher has inaugurated a new production facility in Przylesie, Poland, dedicated to manufacturing thermal management systems for electric city buses and coaches. The facility is expected to enhance the company’s capacity for meeting rising demand in the e-mobility sector.
The new plant spans 12,500 square meters and will commence production this month. It replaces part of the operations from Eberspaecher’s existing Bus & Coach division in Olawa, Poland, which has been producing vehicle heaters for various drive types for seven years. The relocation, coupled with the launch of a new thermal management system, prompted the investment in Przylesie.
Eberspaecher CEO Jörg Steins highlighted the expansion as a response to the increasing demand for electric buses. “With around 30% more capacity compared to the previous site, we are ideally positioned for current and future e-mobility orders,” said Steins. The Przylesie facility is expected to employ up to 150 workers within the next five years.
Production at the site will include the AC138 EVO thermal management system, scheduled to begin in January 2025. Designed for hybrid and battery-electric buses, the system features a patented air circuit reversal and uses the eco-friendly R744 CO2 refrigerant. The new facility will also integrate energy-efficient technologies such as photovoltaics and heat pumps to reduce its carbon footprint.
Eberspaecher’s focus on e-mobility aligns with broader industry shifts, though the transition is not without challenges. Earlier this year, the company sold a newly built plant in Bulgaria intended for high-voltage heater production due to unexpectedly low demand.
Despite these hurdles, Eberspaecher remains optimistic about its role in shaping the e-mobility market. Oliver Wels, Executive Vice President of the Bus and Coach unit, described the AC138 EVO as a “market-defining top product for electromobility,” emphasizing its energy efficiency and low system complexity.
Strategically located near the A4/E40 motorway, the Przylesie plant is poised to serve as a hub for the company’s growing portfolio of sustainable thermal management solutions for electric vehicles.