BATTERY ELECTRIC AND DIESEL BUSES COMPARED HEAD TO HEAD
Published at 27.07.2010
A comparative trial between Britain's first viable full-size, battery-powered bus – the
Optare Solo EV – and
a diesel engine equivalent, could accelerate the introduction of cleaner buses to Britain.
Warwickshire bus and coach operator Johnsons Coach & Bus Travel is a partner in the six-day trial, which takes place in Stratford-upon-Avon this month and will involve measuring air and noise pollution on town streets.
Other partners include Aston University, which will focus on the practical findings, and Coventry University, which will look at the socio-economic impacts. Emissions, fuel consumption and running costs will all be compared. Co-ordination of the trial is by South Warwickshire sustainability consultancy Greenwatt Technology, and it has been jointly funded by Stratford District Council and Stratford Town Trust. Stratford Park and Ride is the selected proving ground.
Optare hopes that the research will provide a sound environmental case and demonstrate commercial viability for the use of electric buses. Based in Henley in Arden, Johnsons Coach & Bus Travel was awarded a Green Bus Fund grant of £280,000 by the DfT for the purchase of alternatively fuelled vehicles. The firm says this trial could result in more electric buses on the streets of Stratford-upon-Avon very soon.
http://www.busworld.org/news/article/968#start
Length 7.1m—10.2m