A CONCEPTUAL ADVANCE (VOLVO'S ECB ENVIRONMENTAL CONCEPT BUS)

The article describes Volvo's Environmental Concept Bus (ECB) and the author's experience of driving it. The ECB is designed as an urban bus, and is one of three Environmental Concept vehicles developed by Volvo; the other two are a car and a truck. All three vehicles are designed to: (1) have a hybrid gas turbine/electric driveline; (2) do as little harm as possible to the environment; and (3) bring various new ideas together into one package. The ECB uses a redesigned concept of low-floor bus; its wheels have been moved to each corner to provide extra passenger space, and it has a flexible interior layout. Its rear axle is driven by an electric motor, powered by nickel-metal-hydride batteries in the roof, and its gas turbine is fuelled by ethanol. Other innovations include: (1) control equipment mounted behind the rear panel, which lifts for access; (2) marker, indicator, and brake lights, which are all light-emitting diodes (LEDs); (3) headlights which are gas-discharge units; and (4) ultraviolet lights on either side of the destination box. The cab is boarded from the saloon, and has a range of computerised functions; several of the dashboard gauges are LEDs. The ECB is easy to drive, has low noise levels, and accelerates rapidly. At least some of its features are likely to be used in production buses within ten years.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Pagination: p. 24-6
  • Serial:
    • BUSES
    • Publisher: Ian Allan Publishing, Limited
    • ISSN: 0007-6392

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00723016
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
  • Files: ITRD
  • Created Date: Jul 26 1996 12:00AM