June 2009
BREAKING NEWS!
introduced an electric bus onto the streets of Melbourne. This bus is unique as it uses technology never used before.
The bus is driven by electric motors that are connected to two battery banks. These batteries are recharged through regenerative energy from braking and forward motion of the bus. To ensure the batteries do not drop below a certain parameter a small 2 litre Volkswagen car engine is onboard to top the batteries up.
Ventura’s electric bus appears to be a typical city low floor bus, seating 42 with a carrying capacity of 68. The smooth, quiet and comfortable ride consumes less fuel than conventional buses therefore producing a significant reduction in global emissions.
As part of Ventura’s mission to Actively Improve Air Quality, we continuously research technologies that will ensure we have a sustainable fleet of over 500 buses. Given the diminishing supply of diesel fuel, this search is critical as a bus has a life of over 20 years.
has responded
to the challenge
in 4 direct ways
路 Replacing older buses with buses that are more fuel efficient with the latest injector technology. 路 Minimizing not in service kilometers through improved logistics at interchanges eg. rather than relocating buses in CBD streets, the bus turns at the interchange and goes straight into service.
路 Operating 100% renewable fuelled ethanol powered buses 路 Trialing a world first fully electric drive bus. These first two initiatives have resulted in a 13% reduction in greenhouse emissions in the last 12 months.
Did you know
The production of this new bus took
over 2 years
to ensure the vehicle will be sustainable for
long haul work and have a long
service life
The Electric Bus When assessing the best option for Melbourne’s bus network, Ventura needed to consider the following: · The existing electricity produced from brown coal can not be utilized if carbon emissions are to be significantly reduced; · Other electric drive buses use a turbine engine to support batteries, which would not offer the required fuel reduction we were seeking.
· The use of solar to recharge the batteries is logistically difficult, given the extent of our Melbourne bus routes and the duration the bus is required on the road. · The bus being trialed has to offer significant fuel reductions. That is why we did not want a large traditional 7, 9 or 12 litre diesel engine, like other trials. We wanted a small 2 litre car engine. Knowing our operating criteria, we met with New Zealand bus builder Designline to build this bus of the future. Designline have had the greatest experience with electric drive buses around the world.
Specifics Energy Storage Our Hybrid Fully Electric bus has two battery trays with 640 Lithium – Ion batteries with 50 kWh of storage capacity. It operates at 575 V DC with a battery management system managing each cell and each battery tray.
Generator The generator is driven by the small Volkswagen engine to ensure the batteries do not drop below a certain parameter. Series Hybrid System Ventura’s electric bus uses a Series System, meaning the bus is driven by electric motors only. The installed 2 litre Volkswagen car engine (auxiliary power unit) recharges the batteries only when there is insufficient energy derived from braking and in forward motion regeneration.
Control System The EcoSaver IV control system which operates the drive systems and components is integrated with Ventura and Designline to be externally controlled and managed should a problem arise.
Drive Motors There are two drive motors operating within the Electric Bus, which activate when the bus is in regenerative mode. The energy that is typically being lost when conventional bus’s use their brakes will be captured by the drive motors.
Benefits Our electric bus introduces a range of benefits for our customers, our company and of course the environment. These include:
· The decrease in fuel consumption significantly produces less emissions than a standard diesel bus · The quiet noise provides the ability for Ventura to service low noise residential areas · The Volkswagen engine used is essentially much quieter than standard engines · Customers travel in a smoother, quieter and more comfortable vehicle · The vehicle runs smoothly with less vibrations
Feedback Driver’s quote: “After driving the electric bus for several weeks I feel that it is a very comfortable drive. I have had a lot of positive comments from the customers about how smooth and comfy the ride is. I have been asked a lot of questions about how it works and thankfully have been able to answer most of them. This is a great bus to add to our fleet.”
Customers quote: “I noticed something “wrong” with the bus when I was validating the metcard ... There
was no big diesel engine sound! I could only hear the air conditioner. Overall, impression is very good! There was no noticeable vibration when the bus stop on the red light, rather quick acceleration, and no jerk associated with the automatic gear change as usual. I am still impressed on the bus engine/motor apparent power. The ride was smoother than ordinary bus. I joked a bit with the driver when I was getting off the bus, “Thanks Driver, but hey this bus sounds like a hybrid car” He proudly responded, “Yeah! It is really hybrid!”
Want to know
more ?
should you have any specific questions about the Electric Drive Bus or Renewable Fuel Ethanol Powered buses
Email our Customer Enquiries Team enquiries@venturabus.com.au
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