Hybrid propulsion system debuts on London buses

We wonder when will it be when India also gets clean, green hybrid buses like this one, in place of the ancient, rattling, smoke-spewing barges that most of our cities have to make do with!

Bus passengers in London are the first in the UK to experience a unique form of hybrid power with four new Optare Tempos equipped with the GM-Allison Hybrid EP-System recently becoming operational. The patented ‘two mode’ parallel hybrid technology combines direct power from an electronically controlled diesel engine with electric power from an energy storage system, which is already delivering significant fuel saving benefits, lower emissions, and improved performance for bus fleets in over 115 cities worldwide.

Transport for London (TfL) is trialling the buses as part of an extensive long-running study into the performance of different hybrid systems and their various specifiable components such as controls, batteries and transmissions. The new GM-Allison-equipped buses are a part of the overall plan to reduce emissions across London by 60%, by 2025.

Hybrid buses are also significantly quieter than diesel buses, making bus travel more pleasant for passengers and reducing noise for local residents along bus routes. From stationary, the buses’ electrical starter motor draws power from the battery, mounted on the roof of the bus, to set the vehicle smoothly and almost silently into motion.

As the vehicle picks up speed, the 340bhp diesel engine comes into action, offering a direct power supply to the drivetrain as required and eventually feeding the battery with additional power. An automatic controller ensures that the battery is maintained at optimum charge. At cruising speed, the battery cuts out altogether and operates like a conventional drivetrain. The greatest benefits of the technology are experienced in lower speed, start-stop operations such as city buses.

We are still waiting to see who takes the first initiative of launching hybrid/battery-powered electric buses in India. With massive pollution in our cities from ancient, ill-maintained, smoke-belching buses and trucks, our country really needs hybrid buses right now!