Foton AUV Hybrid Bus Improves Fuel Economy by Over 30%
24 June 2009
English.chinabuses.com: according to the recent research conducted by the Union of Concerned Scientists, public transport, bus in particular, is the greenest way to go. Moreover, thanks to its high efficiency and large capacity, buses are well positioned as solutions for ever growing traffic jams and air pollutions in urban areas.
Foton AUV hybrid bus goes off production line
In recent years along with the economic explosion, China has been paying unprecedented attention to the environmental protection. Rigorous measures, such as the adoption of the National 4 Emission Standards, have already been put into place to create a more eco-friendly living environment and ensure the sustainability of the economic growth. Currently, it has been widely agreed that urban areas in China should continue to expand new energy bus fleet to make sure that people have the option to choose the green living style. To date, a fairly large number of new energy buses branded with Foton AUV have already made their way to a host of large- and medium-sized cities across China, including Beijing, Guangzhou, Jinan, and Kunming, etc.
Foton AUV hybrid bus on display at an exhibition
As one of the three largest bus operators in China, Guangzhou Bus has been closely watching the development trend of the hybrid buses. However, the reliability of the new technologies is one big concern for the company. After its hybrid bus made debut in 2006, Foton AUV offered a favorable policy that Guangzhou Bus can put the new vehicle in trial operation for half a year without any charge. After the trial operation, the result shows that the 12m Foton AUV hybrid bus consumes 29.3 liters fuels per 100km, 12.7-15.7 liters less than that of a common 12m city bus, which means a Foton hybrid bus improves fuel economy by over 30%. Thanks to this, each bus can cut down its operating costs by over 20%. Furthermore, the new bus, equipped with Euro IV compliant engine, can slash NOx by 27% and particulates by 19%. After the trial operation, Guangzhou Bus immediately placed an order of 30 units of the new bus on Foton.
Foton fuel cell bus in trial operation in Beijing
In Jan. 2008, 30 units of Foton AUV hybrid buses officially kicked off their operation in Guangzhou. As of May 31, 2009, the bus fleet, in service with higher frequencies compared with the traditionally built buses, was still in normal operation. An official with Guangzhou Bus, while hardly contains his excitement, points out that each new Foton AUV hybrid bus saves up to 8,000 liters of fuels each year. In addition, the reliability and drivability of the new bus have been well tested during its operation period. A driver, who has been driving Foton AUV hybrid bus for over two years, recently testified that the new bus could accelerate from standstill to 50km/h in 22.5 seconds and the noise level inside only stood at 70dB while the bus was traveling at a speed of 50km/h.
To further make its customer rest at ease, Foton AUV, the Beijing-based bus builder has promised to provide lifelong post-sale services to its hybrid products. It also offers drivers training programs and technical instructions for its customer.
After their initial success, Foton AUV hybrid buses have caught increasingly wide attention from other bus operators across the nation. Just a few days ago, Beijing Public Transport Group signed a procurement contract of 800 units of the new bus with Foton, marking the largest order on new energy bus so far and a new milestone in the commercialization of Foton AUV hybrid buses.
Some industrial insiders have recently hailed the deal between Foton AUV Bus and Beijing Public Transport Group as a new landmark for promoting the new energy buses. Foton, the bus builder has expressed its confidence in the huge market potential of its hybrid bus and further pointed out that it will continue to partner with some prestigious universities in China and seek self-innovation in a bid to blaze a new way into the international bus & coach market.
Source : english.chinabuses.com
Editor : Mark
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