UK Bus Maker Selects GM Allison Hybrid System
09 November 2006
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| Optare will apply the hybrid system to the Tempo platform. |
The Optare Group, a leading British independent bus maker, is to be the first UK producer to offer the GM Allison two-mode diesel-electric hybrid system in its vehicles.
GM Allison introduced the hybrid system in Europe last month at the Internationale Automobile-Ausstellung (IAA) commercial vehicle show, and announced its first two European contracts: Polish bus manufacturer Solaris Bus & Coach Co. and Dutch guided-vehicle manufacturer APTS. (Earlier post.)
Solaris will apply the hybrid drive in its Urbino articulated bus. APTS will apply the hybrid systems in its Phileas guided articulated vehicle system in Northern France. More than 500 Allison diesel-electric hybrid bus systems are in service in the United States and Canada.
Optare will apply the hybrid system in its Tempo model, expected to be available for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2007.
We’ve chosen this new technology from Allison since it offers our customers real benefits and is fully proven in intensive bus usage across the Atlantic. Its packaging makes it simple to install on our vehicles, which are designed with removable power packs. This technology is in service now and is fully reliable so Optare is thus able to provide the bus operating industry with a real means of combating climate change in the UK environment, saving running costs into the bargain
—Glenn Saint, Optare Group Technical Director
Earlier this year, the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) concluded a 12-month performance and evaluation test of GM Allison hybrid buses in service in the King County (Seattle) Metro (KCM) Fleet.
The study found that the hybrids deliver decreased fuel consumption of 20%–43% depending upon duty cycle, a 10%–39% reduction in NOx emissions; and a 51%–97% reduction in PM emissions. (Earlier post.)
Like to see some of the older buses the MTA have retrofited either with the GM two mode hybrid, or the BAE HybriDrive system, w/cleaner diesel engines. The frames/bodies are still in good shape, and it would help save money.
Posted by: allen_Z | 09 November 2006 at 01:59 PM
10 miles from here we have an old bus graveyard. Most of the busses look to be in good condition, but just worn out. It would be nice to retrofit them, but it might not be cost effective.
Posted by: SJC | 17 November 2006 at 09:39 AM