Smooth operator

Judith Edwards • Published 29 Apr 2010 14:04

Using less fuel than diesel buses and with considerably improved levels of exhaust emissions, passengers travelling around Reading later this year should notice a significant difference in comfort levels as Reading Buses introduce the new 'Enviro hybrid' double deckers.

Following a test-drive of the new vehicle last week, bus driver and photographer Mike Swift said: "The smooth ride is largely down to the bus not having a gear box and therefore there are no jerky gear changes."

These gear changes are out of the driver's control as, for a number of years, most bus operators have been using automatic gearboxes. In fact it is very difficult to give a passenger a rough ride in the vehicle, which uses an electric motor for 'final drive' with a Cummins diesel engine to generate the electricity.

Mike said: "The vehicle is absolutely fantastic to drive and once you get used to the bus engine slowing the vehicle down, it makes for a much smoother ride as you are doing significantly less braking. This, coupled with the fact that there is no gear box, makes for a very comfortable drive for the driver and the passengers."

A dozen prototype ADL 400 Enviro hybrids have been running reliably in London for over 12 months and now Reading Buses is to introduce the new Enviro hybrid double decker with an initial order of six vehicles. If these complete a successful trial period, another 14 will be ordered.

The first consignment of vehicles should be in service by the end of this year, with the remainder due for delivery towards the end of 2012.

At a cost of £300,000 apiece, the buses are expensive, but £108,000 of that is funded by the Government's 'Green Bus Fund Initiative'.

The special elements of the bus, aside from the absence of a gear box and the use of an electric motor for its final drive, are the BAe hybrid drive and modern lithium-ion batteries, which are half the size and weight of traditional lead-acid batteries.

With significant reductions in fuel consumption and greenhouse gasses, the vehicle meets the new EEV emission level which is the top EU rating.

All the components are British too with the body being built in Falkirk, Scotland by Alexander Dennis; the chassis is made in Guildford and the hybrid engine system is built by a collaboration between British Aerospace and Cummins.

Mike said: "Smooth and green, this bus really could run for parliament."

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Enviro400H's breakthrough hybrid technology derives from a pioneering partnership between Alexander Dennis and BAe Systems, and is the result of a far-reaching and meticulous development programme involving over 70 million miles of in-service trials.

The Enviro400H introduces a revolutionary hybrid solution designed specifically for buses and brings together cutting-edge innovation with familiar engine, powertrain and axle units.

Importantly, the Enviro400H's lithium ion batteries do not need mains recharging during their extended life cycle, providing the ideal solution for operators seeking

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This article appeared in Royal Borough Observer 22 Apr 10

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