The greenest double-decker bus in the world has to be the one with the grass interior that rolled out at the closing ceremony of the 2008 summer Olympics. Right behind it are the six Volvo B5L double-decker hybrids now carrying passengers along Route 141 in London.
Arriva, the British-based international public transport operator recently debuted the buses in The Big Smoke, and six more are expected to be on the road after the city puts the new technology to the test.
The Volvo B5L buses use a parallel hybrid I-SAM (Integrated Starter, Alternator, Motor) system created by Volvo. The system combines the power of an electric motor with a diesel engine.
Development of the public transit vehicles started in 2007 with the $1.4 million grant the Swedish Energy Agency gave Volvo. Fuels savings is set at 25 percent when compared to conventional diesel buses. But the city of London will conduct a real world service trial and assess the savings before going back for more.
"With the support of the Transport of London, this is a pioneering project for Arriva London to be involved with. These six vehicles will provide an excellent opportunity to assess the benefits and the life cost proposition of hybrid technology in a real life day operating environment," said Mark Yexley, the Managing Director of Arriva London in a statement.
The buses can go up to 12 mph in all electric mode, and the I-SAM parallel hybrid system fits between the clutch and I-shift automatic transmission. The system also supports regenerative braking, electric launch and assist, electrification of power steering, the air compressor and air conditioning, and idle avoidance, according to Green Car Congress.
Photo: Volvo
