Automotive

What’s red on the outside and green on the inside? London’s new hybrid buses

What’s red on the outside and green on the inside? London’s new hybrid buses
The new Volvo B5L hybrid bus makes London's iconic double-decker very green on the inside
The new Volvo B5L hybrid bus makes London's iconic double-decker very green on the inside
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The new Volvo B5L hybrid bus makes London's iconic double-decker very green on the inside
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The new Volvo B5L hybrid bus makes London's iconic double-decker very green on the inside
London has taken delivery of six new Volvo B5L hybrid buses
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London has taken delivery of six new Volvo B5L hybrid buses
The Volvo B5L hybrid bus has both electric and diesel motors, which can run independently or in combination
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The Volvo B5L hybrid bus has both electric and diesel motors, which can run independently or in combination
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There’s no better way to test the realities of hybrid technology than with public transport, where significant reductions in fuel consumption and emissions are not just desirable, but a commercial necessity. London got a little greener this week with the delivery of six new Volvo B5L hybrid double-decker buses to Arriva London. The new buses are powered by Volvo’s parallel hybrid I-SAM technology which, used on bus routes in Gothenburg, Sweden, has delivered fuel savings of 30%.

This now makes London something of a competitive hybrid test market, with Transport for London having taken delivery of 17 buses equipped with BAE Systems’ diesel-electric HybriDrivepropulsion system late last year. The Volvo technology is not all that different: a combination of diesel and electric motors that can power the bus independently or in combination.

Service field trials have shown there will be significant reduction in carbon dioxide (C02) emissions as well as nitrous oxides and particulates. And the success of the Volvo 7700 Hybrid single deck in Volvo’s home city of Gothenburg, where fuel savings outstripped the anticipated 25%, suggest running costs will also reduce.

All in all, it’s happy news for London’s commuters: lower fuel consumption, less pollution and, because the diesel engine switches off when the bus stops, less noise.

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3 comments
3 comments
gormanwvzb
While I am a big fan of diesel-electric hybrids, I would prefer that they use hydraulics instead of batteries. Hydraulic systems can deliver more than 10 times the energy storage of a battery and disposal of hydraulic fluid is much easier than a modern battery. http://economicefficiency.blogspot.com/2008/12/big-green-trucks.html
Several trials are on-going with vehicles like this bus. Competition is a good thing! Let's hope to see hydraulic hybrids enter the race for cleaner transportation soon!
Anumakonda Jagadeesh
Glad that Hybrid vehicles are catching up.

Dr.A.Jagadeesh Nellore(AP),India
zekegri
I agree hydraulics seem a good idea for these-however why be exclusive-add them in the mix-get the bus going from breaking energy and the rest is easier.