Greeting the new 74 ADL Enviro 400 Extended Range (ER) hybrid buses were, from left: Stephen Kent, CEO, Bus Éireann; Hildegarde Naughton TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport; Ray Coyne, CEO, Dublin Bus; and Anne Graham, CEO, NTA
Fancy some soft-core hybrid fun?
This morning.
The first of an initial order for 100 double-deck electric hybrid buses placed by the NTA, destined for use in Dublin by Dublin Bus and in Galway by Bus Éireann, arrived.
The new buses will enter service early in the New Year.
The exterior of the buses features the new green, yellow and white Transport for Ireland, (TFI) livery, which will be ‘phased in across the entire public service obligation (PSO) fleet over the coming year’.
But what about the spec?
The buses, designated Enviro400ER by their manufacturer Alexander Dennis Limited, utilise BAE Systems’ Series-ER hybrid system that incorporates a 32kWh next-generation lithium-ion battery energy storage system that can be charged externally via a plug-in connection.As a result, they are capable of running in zero tailpipe emission mode for a distance of at least two and a half kilometers and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30%.
More Greenwash, the filthy production of lithium batteries and their gross weight result in an overall extra cost (along with the extraordinary higher purchase cost of the buses) to the running of these buses. Secondly because the joke renewable energy in Ireland is mainly powered by intermittent wind , the last reliable stats show for wind,hydro,solar, (“the overall renewable energy share in ireland was a paltry 11%, “). So all the power for the hybrid part of the bus is derived from 90% fossil fuel!!! And the fossil fuel used is less energy dense per kilogramme than diesel. ( Current Euro 6 diesel engines have extrmely low emissions). It will result in more overall pollution and increased C02 to the climate.
Moving the emissions from the tailpipe to the power plants in this instance will result in higher fares for the commuter with no reduction either in pollution or C02.
Yep, hybrids aren’t great.
I drive a petrol / hybrid one at the mo, it’s ok on fuel but it’s really heavy because of the batteries – 2 metric Tonnes FFS!!
Honestly though, one of the main reasons I bought it was for the Road Tax.
Only 200 quid for a 2.5ltr hybrid – bargain.
Is it a mild or maxi hybrid?! The recent emergence of the term “mild hybrid” makes me smile.
I’d never heard those before either – just Googled em
Mine’s a full Hybrid – as in It can drive in full electric mode.
For about 3-4km and then you have to wait for it to charge up again via the engine.
It’s good if you’re going through the City Centre or a small town. It goes automatically to hybrid mode usually when you drop below 30, but you can also press a button to place it in full electric mode.
But, like I said – super heavy!
My friend bought a 2.5 litre Japanese hybrid, found it good around town but as he does a fair bit of motorway mileage he found his fuel consumption was very high. Lugging the weight of the batteries along a motorway twice a week drank petrol alarmingly as it stayed in petrol mode all the time at motorway speeds .Whatever motor anyone buys make sure you do your sums and treat car sales people mpg claims like Leo the Liar’s utterances.
Yep.
My yoke is supposed to be able to get 60miles to the gallon
Does it feck…
Hang on, are these self-charging hybrids or external charging only? I assume they are self charging also, as 2.5K isn’t very far.
Also, “next-generation lithium-ion battery energy storage system”?
Surely if the tech is in actual production they are ‘this-generation’ – more techno babble intended to impress ;P
Looks like a Monkees reunion.
2.5km?
What lown bought these?
The amount of extra engineering in this bus for 2.5km in range.
This is either a typo or pandering in its fullest extent.