DUO-BUS DEVELOPMENT SHOWS PROMISE

The duo-bus is described as a hybrid vehicle in that it draws on two sources of power, one external and the other internal. An electric version of such a vehicle, powered externally from a network of overhead lines, and internally from batteries, was developed for evaluation as a public service vehicle at Esslingen, West Germany. Details of the vehicle are given which indicate that the battery pack had a capacity of 230 ah at 360 V, and the propulsion principle of the bus is described. The weight of the batteries is 15 per cent of that of the total vehicle, leading to the necessity of obtaining a concession in the form of an increase in the maximum permissible axle loading in order that the full carrying capacity of the bus be utilized. Operating experience since December 1976 when the vehicle went into service is discussed. Power consumption is given as 1.94 kwh/km as compared with 1.92 kwh/km for trolley buses operating on the same route. Total operating costs, including capital charges, are given as approximately 1.4 times those for a comparable diesel bus, the main source of the extra cost being the batteries. Further development of the duo-bus principle is described as the provision of a more efficient battery system, and the use of diesel power - instead of batteries - for operating outside the overhead wire network. Five duo-buses, two with batteries and three with diesel alternative power sources are being built for evaluation in Esslingen along a route comprising about 2.5 miles with, and 2.5 miles without overhead wires. /TRRL/

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00099899
• Corporate Authors:

  Travel and Transport Limited

  122 Newgate Street
  London EC1A 7AD,   England 
• Authors:
  • GARRETT, K
• Publication Date: 1978-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: p. 54-55
• Serial:
  • COACHING JOURNAL & BUS REVIEW
  • Volume: 46
  • Issue Number: 8
  • Publisher: Yandell Publishing Limited
  • ISSN: 0009-9899

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Axle load force; Buses; Consumption; Costs; Diesel engines; Dual mode vehicles; Electric automobiles; Electric batteries; Electric power; Electric vehicles; Emergency vehicles; Energy; Fuel consumption; Hybrid vehicles; Operating costs; Power factor; Trolleybuses; Vehicle capacity
• Geographic Terms: Germany
• Old TRIS Terms: Power factors; Public service vehicles
• ITRD Terms: 1315: Battery; 1272: Bus; 1314: Diesel engine; 1280: Dual mode vehicle; 232: Fuel consumption; 8125: Germany; 1088: Inland waterway; 221: Operating costs
• Subject Areas: Energy; Finance; Highways; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00184488
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 3 1979 12:00AM