First New electrics on trial
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• Iveco Bus has set up a company with two Italian engineering firms to build electrically powered buses. The first two hybrids to leave the new firm, Altra Progetto, will go on trial with Harry Blundred's Transit Holdings this October.
The design, which is so far available only as a left-hooker, uses a small engine to drive a generator. This provides the electricity for the vehicle's electric traction motor.
Two versions are available. One, based on a 6.5m DailyBus, uses a 1,000cc petrol engine; the other, on a 12m TurboCity, is fitted with a 2,000cc IDI diesel engine. In both cases the engine is set to run continuously at its optimum speed.
The petrol engine is fitted with a three-way catalytic converter; the diesel has a twin particulate filter. The hybrids produce enough power to run at 30mph fully laden on level ground, Additional power for acceleration and hill climbing can be drawn from twin battery packs at 100Ah at 192 volts in the case of the DailyBus, or 600 volts in the case of the TurboCity.
Service tests have achieved a range of up to 483km (300 miles).
If Blundred is pleased with the electric buses he is expected to give the goahead to convert his city-centre fleets at Oxford and Exeter. The buses cost about 50% more than conventional buses, but produce less emissions.
Iveco Ford, which would market the right-hand-drive version of the bus, says the Italian manufacturer, has received orders for 100 left-hand-drive models.