FROM PROTOTYPE TO PRODUCT. THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOW EMISSION NATURAL GAS- AND BIOGAS BUSES

The objective of this report is to show the development of natural gas and biogas buses and trucks since the termination of the "Co-Nordic GasBus Project", to which KFB was a major contributor and one of the initiators. Sweden has some 325 heavy duty methane vehicles of which almost 100 are biogas operated. Scania and Volvo have produced, or have orders for, 500 gas buses to 6 different countries since 1990. The Project objectives were obtained and the significantly reduced emission levels aimed for, were shown. The international bus manufacturing industry followed, and have since shown the same low levels of emissions from gas bus engines. Sweden has taken the lead in the use of biogas, by operating nearly 100 buses and trucks. Biogas is still an underestimated fuel when it comes to supply, as it can provide fuel for 50% of the domestic use of diesel oil. Future development need to include control systems for more stabile emissions, lower weight cylinders, less costly compressors, cleaning equipment and storage cylinders as well as more fuel efficient engines that can reduce mainly the discharge of CO2, NOx and CH4 further. Societal costs, regardless of who pays, for methane operated buses is still somewhat higher compared with best use of diesel + CRT technology. As commercialization develops, it is expected that the price of the vehicle will be reduced and emissions improved. It is therefore expected that the stake holders costs will be lower than that of diesel technology in the future. (A)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9188868419
• Corporate Authors:

  KOMMUNIKATIONSFORSKNINGSBEREDNINGEN

  BOX 5706
  STOCKHOLM,   Sweden  S-114 97
• Authors:
  • EKELUND, M
• Publication Date: 1998

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 37 p.
• Serial:
  • KFB-RAPPORT
  • Issue Number: 1997:19
  • Publisher: KOMMUNIKATIONSFORSKNINGSBEREDNINGEN
  • ISSN: 1104-2621

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternate fuels; Buses; Demand; Development; Economics; Environment; Gases; Manufactures; Pollutants; Prototypes; Technology; Trucks
• Uncontrolled Terms: Decreases
• Geographic Terms: Sweden
• ITRD Terms: 1272: Bus; 9009: Decrease; 285: Demand (econ); 9013: Development; 255: Economics; 2442: Emission; 2455: Environment; 6734: Gas; 1236: Lorry; 3647: Manufacture; 9109: Prototype; 2417: Renewable energy; 8109: Sweden; 3855: Technology
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Economics; Motor Carriers; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00756771
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI)
• ISBN: 91-88868-41-9
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Dec 17 1998 12:00AM