Ever since the policies of electric vehicle promotion are established all over the highly developed countries, battery technologies had become the key to solve the stability issue of the electric vehicles.

After the alliance of Tesla and Panasonic, Aleees, the biggest electric bus manufacturer in Taiwan, has entered into an agreement to team up with Sony. The cooperation between Aleees and Sony started from the 1st of September 2014 is regarded as a lift-up toward electric vehicle industry to speed up the development of automotive Lithium Batteries.

Further more, over 4 years, with 1 million miles of practical operation of Aleees-Siemens E-bus, Aleees now is aiming to construct the No.1 E-bus with the technical supports from Siemens and Sony.

Aleees Group as a Taiwan top-notch electric bus and LFP cathode material manufacturer was founded in 2005 by the main shareholders of Ruentex Group., KPCB Fund, QVT Financial LP. The concept of “Human Safe and Eco Friendly” Aleees Group upheld is to build a cradle to cradle green economical system for posterity and for a sustainable environment.

EV bus manufacturer Proterra Inc. has been honored as a 2015 Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

One of only 24 companies selected worldwide, Proterra is the only company on this prestigious list serving the mass transit sector.

The WEF’s Technology Pioneers program recognizes companies from around the world involved in the design, development and deployment of new technologies poised to have a significant impact on business and society. Most significantly, Technology Pioneers must demonstrate vision and the promise of long-term industry leadership, and their technology must be proven.

“Proterra is proud to be named a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum and recognized for the effectiveness of our technology and the positive impact it has had in the communities in which our transit buses are operating,” said Ryan Popple, president and chief executive officer, Proterra Inc. “Thanks in large part to Proterra’s efforts, the transit industry is able to offer riders a viable, sustainable and cost-effective urban transit solution. We recognize the long-term importance of these efforts in achieving energy independence and protecting the environment for future generations, and we are committed to continuing to lead the way.”

By offering a quiet, fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly bus to the market today, Proterra has helped cities across the United States reduce their carbon footprints and improve the quality of life for residents. Proterra has recorded that its buses have a fuel economy per kilometer/mile (when translated into conventional fuels) that is nearly six times that of a diesel bus. By combining performance, efficiency and design, Proterra buses offer the lowest per passenger cost and environmental impact of any transit technology—electric, diesel, hybrid or natural gas. Proterra buses have logged nearly 500,000 miles of revenue service in cities across the United States, and their performance has resulted in repeat business from multiple cities. Among its customers are King County Metro (Seattle), TARC (Louisville), MTA (Nashville), VIA Metropolitan (San Antonio), StarMetro (Tallahassee), RTC (Reno), WRTA (Worcester) and Foothill Transit (Pomona).

“The impact of technology continues to accelerate in all domains of society,” said Fulvia Montresor, director, Head of Technology Pioneers at the World Economic Forum. “To better understand the breadth and depth of this impact, CEOs and other leaders have come to depend on their interactions with the Technology Pioneers and their diverse and innovative solutions.”

A ceremony will be held to recognize the achievements of this year’s technology pioneers at the Annual Meeting of the New Champions on September 11th, 2014.

Toshiba has been selected as the battery supplier for the next generation, all-electric bus from Proterra Inc.

The new fleet will use Toshiba’s Rechargeable Batteries (SCiB), a safe rechargeable battery solution with high-rate performance and long-life capabilities that is used in a wide range of applications, from EVs to grid energy storage.

Proterra has led the way in creating the quietest, most fuel-efficient and environmentally sustainable transit bus on the market today, helping cities across the United States reduce their carbon footprints and improve quality of life for residents. In addition to having nearly six times the fuel economy per kilometer/mile (when translated into conventional fuels) of a diesel bus and being a true zero-emission means of transport, Proterra buses feature a fast charge system that takes less than 10 minutes to charge during regularly scheduled route stops, making the buses well-suited to transit applications.

The SCiB is part of a wide range of solutions designed to enable smarter communities. Leveraging expertise cultivated since the company’s foundation, Toshiba is committed to being a global leader in smart community solutions that enrich the quality of life for people throughout the world. The Toshiba Group has already participated in more than 30 smart community demonstration projects highlighting battery storage and cloud-based solutions for social infrastructure that satisfy the differing needs in developing and developed countries. With a wide range of experience and know-how acquired from the stable operation of social infrastructure over many years, Toshiba is confident in its ability to present more effective and more sophisticated solutions based on precise simulations and highly accurate predictions.

Toshiba’s SCiB batteries have excellent thermal performance, enabling their high-rate charging capability. The lithium-titanate chemistry contained in SCiB makes the batteries highly resistant to thermal runaway and lithium metal plating, providing exceptional battery safety characteristics.

SCiB products also offer minimal capacity degradation and are capable of 10,000 or more charge-discharge cycles, depending on operating conditions. This operational life often exceeds that of the applications in which they are used, eliminating the need for battery replacement and reducing the environmental impact of waste batteries.

Volvo’s first Electric Hybrid bus with plug-in technology has entered in commercial service on the Innovation Line 109 in Hamburg on December 18.

The bus can run 7 kilometers on electricity – silent and emission free. In only 6 minutes, it charges the battery full at the end stations. The bus saves approximately 60% energy compared to a diesel bus and lowers emissions by up to 80%.

Alongside three Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid buses, Volvo’s diesel hybrid buses in both 18 m articulated and 12 m versions will also be tested on the route, as well as battery fuel cell buses and fuel cell buses from other manufacturers.

The Innovation Route 109 of HOCHBAHN will be almost exclusively served by buses with innovative drive technologies. Different types and drive modes for the sustainable buses of the future are to be tested in parallel and under identical conditions. Conventional diesel buses will also be used on the route to serve as reference vehicles in the scientific comparison of the innovative drive concepts.

The city of Hamburg has established the target: from 2020, only emission-free buses should be acquired by the city.

The Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid

With its world-first electric hybrid bus incorporating Euro 6 equipment, electric motor and plug-in technology, Volvo is further developing its electro mobile pioneering role. Charging takes place at the end stop using a pantograph that is integrated with the charging station. When the bus has reached its parking position under the charging mast, the pantograph is lowered to both of the charging bars on the roof of the bus when the driver presses a button. The complete charging process takes only six minutes.

The lithium ion iron phosphate charger provides the electric motor (150 kW) with power. The bus travels at least seven kilometers purely on electricity, before the Euro 6 diesel aggregate switches on. On the stretches driven only on electricity, the bus is completely emission-free and extremely low-noise: Near to a Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid, the noise level can be compared to normal conversation level.

The Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid also offers a high level of flexibility of use: In selected areas, it can be driven on electricity alone, while it can be deployed as a hybrid bus on all scheduled routes. The technology used in the electric hybrid bus is that of the successful Volvo 7900 diesel hybrid bus, which ensures a high level of availability.

Kyotokyukou Bus Incorporated has taken delivery of 5 Long Range Battery Electric Buses from the Chinese electric carmaker BYD Company Ltd.

The delivery ceremony held was widely covered as it not only represented electrified public transportation, but also Japan, a nation built on engineering excellence, for the first time acquiring high tech vehicles from their neighbor, China.

The BYD electric buses will be operated in the former Japanese capital of Kyoto, a well known battleground for carbon emissions reduction thanks to the globally renowned Kyoto Protocol. One of Japan’s largest transit operations, Kyotokyukou Bus Inc. will take possession of the first 5 BYD Electric Buses.

During the ceremony, Sakabe Mitsuo, Director of Kyoto’s Ministry of Transportation said, “it’s a milestone for Kyoto’s public transportation to operate the pure electric buses. The BYD pure electric buses will demonstrate entirely environmentally friendly. We will do more to improve environment quality.”

BYD’s pure-electric bus employs many advanced technologies developed in-house by BYD’s expansive staff of more than 15,000 engineers, such as the advanced environmentally-friendly, Iron-Phosphate (or “Fe”) batteries, in-wheel hub motors and regenerative braking system. The break-through Iron-Phosphate battery is fire-safe and non-toxic: there are no caustic materials contained in the battery, no toxic electrolytes or heavy metals and can be completely recycled. The BYD electric bus delivers a host of operational and environmental benefits for public transport riders, operators and people in the community – it is very quiet and ensures a comfortable ride without vibrations, jerks or noise associated with the conventional buses and combustion engines. The bus can also drive for more than 250 km (155 miles) even in heavy city traffic on a single charge. The bus has completed more than 40 million kilometers of “in revenue service” and has been evaluated in many major cities all over the world.

To more fully serve the diverse needs of the North American transit market, the electric bus maker Proterra Inc. has launched a new extended-range product line.

With the introduction of the new TerraVolt XR extended-range battery, Proterra buses can now be configured to travel up to 180 miles between charges. This newest high energy density battery complements the existing TerraVolt FC fast-charge battery which has been extensively tested over nearly one million customer revenue miles.

These two battery packs are key components of Proterra’s TerraFlex energy system and can be used interchangeably in the Catalyst vehicle platform. This system enables customers to select the right amount and type of energy storage to meet specific route requirements. Once customized, operators can easily reconfigure battery packs to meet evolving service needs. Both battery systems are compatible with Proterra’s on-route and in-depot chargers, resulting in a platform with ultimate flexibility at the lowest cost.

“Operating successfully in cities across the country, the Proterra Catalyst is the most energy-efficient transit bus on the market,” said Matt Horton, vice president of sales and marketing at Proterra, Inc. “Adding extended-range capabilities to our existing portfolio of fast-charge products, enables us to help our customers meet more of their most demanding service requirements. The flexibility of our platform allows our customers to more confidently invest in the future of transit.”

The fast-charge Catalyst FC is now available in configurations carrying between 53 kWh and 131 kWh of energy storage and can be fully recharged in under 10 minutes.

The extended-range Catalyst XR is now available in configurations carrying between 129 kWh and 321 kWh of energy storage and can be recharged in a little over an hour.

The Swedish leading transport operator of Byberg & Nordin has adopted this first ever European CCS Charged Electric Bus standard in to their fleet.

The Dutch OEM VDL Bus & Coach delivered their Citea Electric Bus with Heliox CCS-compliant DC Fast Charger.

The CCS-standard protocol is by the industry seen as the best fit for e-bus charging. This also includes CCS-plug derivatives, such as conductive opportunity charge systems like pantographs. An electric-bus charging standard will be largely based on the recently adopted global DC fast-charging standards for passenger cars, according to Heliox.

Heliox strongly supports CCS Combined Charging System (IEC 15118 & IEC61851-23/24 / DIN 70121) as well as OCPP protocol standards, as the company is convinced charger and vehicle interoperability is key for further successful adaptation of electric vehicles in public transport.

Designed for commercial & captive fleets, the Heliox Fast DC Charger series can recharge electric vehicles with 43kW – 120kW with CCS connection.

Heliox Fast DC chargers are designed for ultra fast DC charging of public transport vehicles running with 700V systems and Pantograph/CCS/MODE4 connection and come as permanent installed depot charger or mobile version.

A bus route that is entirely served by Volvo’s quiet, fuel-efficient and practically emission-free electric hybrid buses is now set to become reality in Stockholm.

A total of eight electric hybrid buses will be deployed on route 73 which passes through the central areas of Stockholm, starting on March 16.

Volvo’s 7900 electric hybrid buses will replace all of the existing buses on route 73, which runs between Ropsten and the Karolinska Institute in central Stockholm.

Volvo’s electric hybrid buses will operate quietly and free of emissions on renewable electricity for seven of the route’s slightly more than eight kilometers, and the batteries will be quick-charged for only six minutes at the end stops. As a complement, the buses also have a small diesel engine that is driven on biodiesel. Compared with conventional buses, the electric hybrids provide considerable environmental gains. The total energy consumption is 60 percent lower. Climate-impacting emissions are reduced by 90 percent since the buses will use biodiesel and wind power. The noise level during electrical operation is at the same level as ordinary conversational tone.

Services using electric hybrid buses in Stockholm comprise a demonstration project conducted by Volvo Buses, SL (Stockholm Public Transport) and energy provider Vattenfall. It is part-financed by the EU through the ZeEUS (Zero Emission Urban Bus System) project, in which more than 40 companies and organizations are participating. Following the initial demonstration project that will continue until the end of 2016, the intention is to continue using the electric hybrids in commercial operation.

Volvos electric hybrids have also been used in commercial service in Hamburg, Germany, since December 2014.

The Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid

With its world-first electric hybrid bus incorporating Euro 6 equipment, electric motor and plug-in technology, Volvo is further developing its electro mobile pioneering role. Charging takes place at the end stop using a pantograph that is integrated with the charging station. When the bus has reached its parking position under the charging mast, the pantograph is lowered to both of the charging bars on the roof of the bus when the driver presses a button. The complete charging process takes only six minutes.

The lithium ion iron phosphate charger provides the electric motor (150 kW) with power. The bus travels at least seven kilometers purely on electricity, before the Euro 6 diesel aggregate switches on. On the stretches driven only on electricity, the bus is completely emission-free and extremely low-noise: Near to a Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid, the noise level can be compared to normal conversation level.

The Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid also offers a high level of flexibility of use: In selected areas, it can be driven on electricity alone, while it can be deployed as a hybrid bus on all scheduled routes. The technology used in the electric hybrid bus is that of the successful Volvo 7900 diesel hybrid bus, which ensures a high level of availability.

Electric bus manufacturer, Proterra Inc., recently congratulated its customers on achieving a major milestone for the EV industry: logging one million miles in revenue service.

The company celebrated this achievement with an event at its plant in Greenville, S.C. honoring its transit agency partners for their leadership as EV pioneers.

Proterra presented each transit agency with an award recognizing them as one of the early pioneers in EV bus technology adoption and honoring their role in building the future of mass transit and sustainable urban mobility.

“Reaching our 1,000,000th mile in revenue service is a significant milestone, not just for Proterra, but for the entire transit industry,” said Popple. “Along with our forward-thinking and highly valued transit agency partners, we can offer the world a million proof points to bolster the fact that electric vehicles not only offer great performance, but represent the best total cost of ownership and environmental option for transit agencies.”

By combining performance, efficiency and flexibility, Proterra buses offer the lowest per passenger cost and environmental impact of any transit bus technology—electric, diesel, hybrid or natural gas. Proterra has now received orders from 14 different transit agencies in cities across North America. Over the course of their 1,000,000 miles in service, Proterra customers have saved nearly 250,000 gallons of fossil fuel and have eliminated nearly 3.5 million pounds of emissions from being released into the environment.

Customers receiving the awards were: Foothill Transit (Pomona, Calif.), WRTA (Worcester, Mass.), the City of Seneca, S.C./Clemson Area Transit, RTC Washoe (Reno, Nev.), TARC (Louisville, Ky.), VIA Metropolitan Transit (San Antonio, Texas), San Joaquin RTD (Stockton, Calif.), and StarMetro (Tallahassee, Fla.).

Proterra offers a range of customer configurable buses featuring either fast charge or extended range battery technologies to meet a wider range of route and transit agency needs.

Public transport of the future is now in place in Swedish Gothenburg! A noiseless and emission-free Volvo electric bus operating on renewable electricity, and that stops at Sweden’s first indoor bus stop and allows passengers to charge their mobiles onboard.

Volvo’s new electric bus is now being tested for the first time in regular traffic in Gothenburg. Ahead of its official premiere on route 55 on June 15.

This new route will be served by three all-electric buses and seven electric hybrids, all from Volvo Buses. The vehicles are equipped with battery packs that can be quick-charged with renewable electricity at their end terminals. Energy consumption of the electric buses is about 80 per cent lower than that of corresponding diesel buses. The new route is the result of a cooperative venture known as ElectriCity, which develops, demonstrates and evaluates innovative solutions for future sustainable public transport.

Before it enters regular operations Volvo’s new electric bus will also be shown at the large UITP public-transport show in Milan on June 8-10. UITP brings together public transport purchasers from all over the world who come to see the latest developments in the industry.

Passenger wishes have also shaped the design of the new electric buses in several ways.

For instance, all boarding and exiting is quick and convenient via an extra-wide door opening with a low entry in the middle of the bus. Here there is a large area with a low, flat floor, to make things easier for passengers with child buggies or wheelchairs.

Volvo’s designers aimed to give the bus a modern and welcoming atmosphere. The interior is bright and airy and there are electrical power sockets for passengers to recharge their mobile phones. The bus features onboard Wi-Fi. Although the bus is just 10.7 meters long (more than a meter shorter than a conventional bus) it can carry up to 86 passengers. The central driver’s seat contributes to high passenger capacity.

Commercial launch in 2017
The Volvo Buses range of electrified buses includes the previously launched Volvo 7900 Hybrid, which has been a major commercial success with more than 2000 units sold, and the Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid which was launched in autumn 2014. Unlike these two, the new electric bus is a concept vehicle. Series production of all-electric Volvo buses is scheduled for 2017.

The electric bus is part of ElectriCity
Traffic with electric buses on route 55 in Gothenburg is a result of ElectriCity. This is a cooperative venture between the research fraternity, industry and city planners, for the purpose of developing, demonstrating and evaluating next-generation sustainable public transport. Among the participants are Volvo Group, Chalmers, the Swedish Energy Agency, Region Västra Götaland, Västtrafik, the Municipality of Gothenburg, Göteborg Energi, Lindholmen Science Park and Johanneberg Science Park.

Proterra has completed the structural testing program at the Altoona Bus Research and Testing Center.

In the testing program, the new Proterra Catalyst bus has broken records for efficiency, gradeability, weight and acceleration.

While conventional diesel buses average 3.86 MPG (61 L/100km), the Proterra Catalyst achieved the best efficiency rating ever for a 40′ transit bus at 22 MPGe (equivalent to 10.7 l/100 km) (1.70 kWh/mile). Nearly six times more efficient than a diesel or CNG bus, the Catalyst is also 15% more energy efficient per mile than the closest competitors’ electric bus on the same test, which translates to a lower lifetime energy consumption of 15%. Notably, Proterra’s new 40′ bus is more energy efficient per mile than most light-duty trucks and SUVs on the road today.

In addition to energy efficiency, the Proterra Catalyst broke records in gradeability, weight, and acceleration. Gradeability has been a historic obstacle for electric buses, which until now, weighed more and had less power, making steep inclines difficult if not impossible to climb. The Catalyst conquered a 15.5% grade, unprecedented in this test by an electric bus, making it an ideal option to serve metropolitan areas with challenging topography in West Coast cities including San Francisco and Seattle. Made of carbon fiber and advanced composite materials, Proterra’s unibody design is a prime driver for its high performance with regard to weight and durability.

With a curb weight of only 27,370 lbs., the Proterra Catalyst is not only lighter than any other electric bus, leading to greater efficiency, but is also more durable than buses made of aluminum or steel and less prone to corrosion. The transit industry has traditionally struggled with vehicle weight, especially for new technologies like hybrid, CNG and EV. By designing the vehicle from the ground-up, using the most advanced technology and materials, Proterra has eliminated the vehicle weight concern for EV. As proof of the vehicle’s superior power-to-weight ratio, the Proterra 40′ Catalyst also achieved 0-20 acceleration in just 6.7 seconds. Rapid acceleration is particularly critical for keeping routes running on time, allowing bus operators to move in and out of traffic with greater ease.

The Proterra Catalyst drivetrain features a 220 kW peak permanent magnet drive motor delivering 678 N·m (500 lb-ft) of torque, coupled to the Proterra 2-speed auto-shift EV transmission. The bus is powered either by an advanced Lithium Titanate fast-charge energy storage pack or an NMC extended range energy storage system.

“To break not one, but four records at Altoona is a major milestone not just for us, but for the industry as a whole and is a testament to how far electric bus technology has come,” said Ryan Popple, CEO of Proterra. “In an industry hungry for innovation, to receive these kinds of results from rigorous testing organizations such as Altoona helps to assure transit managers and civic leaders that electric buses can outperform fossil fuel vehicles and are a durable and reliable investment.”

Altoona report is available here.

Transport for London (TfL) announced that two further bus routes, the 507 and 521, will operate entirely with electric buses from autumn next year, lowering carbon emissions and helping to improve London’s air quality.

The 5-year contract to operate the routes has been awarded to Go Ahead following a competitive tender process, and will mean that 51 electric buses will operate across the two routes that will become the second and third pure electric bus routes in the Capital. Go Ahead will confirm which manufacturer will supply the buses in due course. By 2020 all 300 single deck buses operating in central London will be zero emission (either electric or hydrogen) and all 3,000 double deck buses will be hybrid.

When fully converted, the electric buses on routes 507 and 521 will deliver a reduction of 408 tonnes of CO2 and 10 tonnes of NOx per year, when compared to single deck diesel buses. They are emission-free at tailpipe, and will provide passengers with an improved experience with lower noise and vibrations.

The announcement follows the introduction of the first of two new electric buses, manufactured by Spanish company Irizar, into passenger service earlier this week. At a Global Clean Bus Summit hosted by City Hall in June, Mayor of London Boris Johnson also announced a world-first trial of a purpose built pure electric double deck bus that will begin in October.

The two Irizar single-deck buses will operate on routes 507 and 521, which link Waterloo station to Victoria and London Bridge stations respectively. The new buses will join two existing electric buses, manufactured by Chinese company BYD, on the Go Ahead-operated commuter routes in central London. Including the first Irizar bus now in service, there are currently 9 single-deck electric vehicles in the fleet will grow to 17 in September. Once the double-deck trial begins in October, there will be 22 total pure electric buses on London streets.

A further six electric single deck buses, manufactured in the UK by Optare, are already in the TfL fleet. Four of them operate on route H98 in west London and two serve route 312 in south London – that later this year will become the Capital’s first all-electric bus route.

The Capital’s bus fleet already has over 1,300 hybrid electric buses and over 1,400 older buses have been retrofitted, reducing their emissions by up to 88%. The number of hybrid buses will increase to over 1,700 by 2016 – a figure that represents over 20% of the fleet. This includes 800 New Routemaster buses, which are one of the cleanest double deck buses of their type. By 2016, when all 800 New Routemasters are in passenger service, these state of the art vehicles will reduce CO2 emissions by 27,500 tonnes a year.

In addition, there are eight zero emission hydrogen buses operating on route RV1, between Covent Garden and Tower Gateway. In the autumn TfL will be trialling inductive charging technology that will enable special extended range diesel electric hybrid buses to wirelessly charge their batteries while they wait at bus stands. The technology will be trialled on up route 69 in east London, which runs between Canning Town and Walthamstow bus stations.

TfL has also accelerated the introduction of ultra-low emission Euro VI buses – with more than 500 in service. The effectiveness of Euro VI engines in reducing harmful emissions has been substantiated in testing by TfL that re-creates real world driving conditions in London. During this testing, a bus with a Euro VI Engine was found to have 95% lower NOx emissions than a bus with a Euro V engine (down from 10 g/km to 0.5 g/km).

By 2020, as part of the Ultra Low Emission Zone, TfL is committed to ensuring all 300 single decker buses operating in central London are zero emission (e.g. electric or hydrogen), and all 3,000 double deck buses are hybrid.

The post London Adding Another 51 All-Electric Buses appeared first on Electric Cars Report.

China Zhongwang, the second largest industrial aluminium extrusion product developer and manufacturer in the world and the biggest one in Asia, announced that it has successfully designed, manufactured and developed all-aluminium new electric buses for Brilliance Bus (Dalian) Company Limited (“Brilliance Bus”).

This co-operation marks China Zhongwang’s inauguration as the first and only aluminium processing enterprise in China to have the capability of undertaking both the design and manufacturing of all-aluminium new energy public buses.

The frame and body of this new public bus model use aluminium alloy as the key material. Its weight is reduced by 40% versus its steel counterparts. Aluminium-bodied vehicles are more durable, corrosion resistant and have better vibration absorption capabilities. The lighter auto bodies increase the vehicles’ driving range, thereby conserving energy and reducing operating costs. In order to reduce the urban air pollution problem, China has enacted policies to encourage the development of new energy vehicles. These policies have played an important role in driving the growth of aluminium applications.

China Zhongwang has now completed two vehicle prototypes for Brilliance Bus, of which the first prototype is for display, and the second is currently undergoing road tests. It will commence mass production after passing the road test.

The post China Zhongwang and Brilliance Bus Join Hands to Develop All-new Electric Buses appeared first on Electric Cars Report.

BYD Company Ltd., the world’s largest maker of pure electric buses, and Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) confirmed a £19 million deal that will see the introduction of London’s first large-scale, zero-emission, single deck bus fleet. This will also be the single largest fleet of full size electric buses in Europe.

The move follows confirmation by Go-Ahead London that they are to introduce 51 emission-free, pure electric buses on routes 507 and 521, which operate between Waterloo and Victoria.

The vehicles will be built on BYD chassis and powered by BYD’s technology-leading electric drivetrain. All 51 buses will be bodied by ADL, incorporating their market-leading Enviro200-like midi bus design. The Enviro200 is the world’s best-selling midi bus and renowned for its lightweight, easy access, maneuverability and fuel efficiency.

Go-Ahead London said that it expects to introduce all 51 of the all-electric buses into service by August 27, 2016, signaling the introduction of London’s first, large-scale pure electric bus fleet. The move follows an announcement from Transport for London (TFL) earlier this month that it would electrify central London routes 507 and 521 as part of its drive to make all of its single deck buses emission-free by 2020.

The new deal, worth £19 million, includes a full on-site repair and maintenance program for the term of the contract and combines the strengths of ADL’s Enviro200 12m single deck (with 18,000 units sold worldwide) and BYD’s own design of Iron-Phosphate Battery technology and drivetrain system. The latter has been proven to deliver outstanding range and reliability in multiple international markets, covering millions of kilometers of passenger-carrying service.

The decision by the two manufacturers to collaborate on this first fleet is a significant step. It brings together the proven, safe and long-range capabilities of BYD’s pure electric buses (the company has 3,500 in service worldwide) with the outstanding and high quality vehicle design and UK build capability of ADL. The resulting vehicles, capable of carrying up to 90 passengers, will offer Londoners some of the most advanced zero emission buses in the world and provide opportunities for the two partner bus builders to work together in the future for the benefit of other bus operators, their passengers and the wider community.

The post BYD and ADL Partner to Supply Go-Ahead London with Electric Bus Fleet appeared first on Electric Cars Report.

Columbia, Missouri residents will soon hear the quiet hum of all-electric buses on the city’s COMO Connect routes.

Beginning September 1, 2015, COMO Connect will take delivery of their first of four battery electric buses from the global electric vehicle leader BYD Coach & Bus.

The first bus will be a full-size 40′ transit bus used to experiment on a number of different routes around the city, namely the #1 Black Core Connector, one of the city’s longest and most popular bus routes.  The next three buses that will be delivered to start service December 1, 2015, will be BYD’s 30′ Electric low floor transit bus that will be used for commuter shuttles, used on COMO Connect, that operate through Columbia’s smaller neighborhood routes, including the downtown orbiter.

“Our decision to go electric extends far beyond cleaner air and doing the right thing,” said Drew Brooks, Multi-Modal Manager of the City of Columbia. “These buses are incredibly quiet, and will drastically reduce noise pollution along the routes. Additionally, they will save Columbia hundreds of thousands of dollars in fuel and maintenance costs and enable us to begin other improvements to our system even sooner.

BYD’s Electric bus employs many advanced technologies developed in-house by a staff of more than 15,000 R&D engineers including the BYD Iron-Phosphate battery, which boasts the only 12-year-battery warranty in the industry. Combined with BYD’s proprietary in-wheel hub motors and regenerative braking system, the BYD battery electric bus offers the lowest life cycle cost of ownership.

The BYD electric bus delivers a host of operational and environmental benefits for public transit riders, bus operators and residents of the community – it is very quiet and ensures a comfortable ride without vibrations, jerks or the noise associated with the conventional buses and combustion engines. The bus can also drive for more than 155 miles even in heavy city traffic on a single charge. As of April 1st, 2015, BYD bus fleets have completed greater than 50 million miles “in revenue service” and have been evaluated by more than 150 cities in 36 countries around the world. To date, BYD has built over 5,000 electric buses globally, making it by far the most popular electric transit vehicle on the planet.

The post BYD Electric Buses Coming to Missouri appeared first on Electric Cars Report.

California’s BYD Motors has been awarded what industry commentators are calling a “dominant” win in the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Heavy Duty Bus RFP that closed in August.

The contract allows for up to 800 heavy duty buses from all different propulsion types that included 12 different categories for all-electric buses. The contract has the potential to be the most complete electric vehicle procurement in US history as it includes buses from 30 – 60 feet in length for both highway and transit applications, as well as long-range and shorter range, on-route charging configurations.

BYD being the only electric bus maker globally that manufactures 7 different electric buses, capable of long range as well as in-route charging configurations was awarded wins in 10 of the 12 available vehicle categories and has the ability to deliver any of their buses within six months. BYD is also the only bus manufacturer on the contract with wireless on route charging as an option approved by WSDOT. The mass procurement by WSDOT is being seen as a visionary move by Washington State, clearly establishing itself as one of the most environmentally conscious states nation wide. Any transit agency or public institution in Washington, as well as the state of Oregon, is now able to procure electric buses from the RFP, greatly simplifying the procurement process, and cleaning the air faster.

BYD’s Battery Electric bus employs many advanced technologies developed in-house by a staff of more than 15,000 R&D engineers including the BYD Iron-Phosphate battery which boasts the only 12-year-battery warranty in the industry.  Combined with BYD’s proprietary in-wheel hub motors and regenerative braking system, the BYD battery electric bus offers the lowest life cycle cost of ownership. The BYD electric bus delivers a host of operational and environmental benefits for public transit riders, bus operators and residents of the community – it is very quiet and ensures a comfortable ride without vibrations, jerks or the noise associated with the conventional buses and combustion engines.  The bus can also drive for more than 155 miles even in heavy city traffic on a single charge.

As of April 1st, 2015, BYD bus fleets have completed greater than 50 million miles “in revenue service” and have been evaluated by more than 150 cities in 36 countries around the world.  To date, BYD has built over 5,000 electric buses globally, making it by far the most popular electric transit vehicle on the planet.

When Volvo Buses participates in the Busworld exhibition in Kortrijk, Belgium, in October, the spotlight will fall on two major new products: the Volvo 7900 Electric – Volvo’s first series produced electric bus under its own brand; and the unique Volvo Dynamic Steering stabilisation system.

Busworld Kortrijk marks the global unveiling of the Volvo 7900 Electric, Volvo Buses’ first mass-produced city bus powered exclusively by electricity. Quiet and emission free, the model is around 80 percent more energy-efficient than a conventional diesel bus. The bus’s batteries are charged through the energy generated during engine braking, as well as at bus stops via the power grid.

A battery charge via the power grid takes maximum 6 minutes, corresponding to around 10 km of driving. The Volvo 7900 is available in a 12 m design. The launch means Volvo Buses now boasts a comprehensive range of electrified buses. The Volvo 7900 Electric joins stablemates the Volvo 7900 Hybrid (also available as an articulated bus) and the Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid. In total, Volvo has sold in excess of 2,200 electrified buses since the introduction of its hybrid models in 2010.

Volvo Buses will also showcase the Volvo Dynamic Steering (VDS), which is currently being integrated into several of Volvo’s coach models. The system enables substantially better directional stability, comfort and safety and reduces the risk of drivers incurring occupational injuries. A feature of Volvo’s trucks since 2013, VDS is one of the manufacturer’s most significant and acclaimed innovations of recent years.

VDS automatically compensates for uneven road surfaces, eliminating vibration and steering kicks. When driving at low speeds, steering wheel inertia is reduced by around 75 percent, which also makes reversing easier. The system also facilitates steering, with the wheel automatically returning to centre when the driver’s grip is loosened somewhat. At high speeds, the bus maintains consistent direction, even on poor road surfaces.

A city with half a million inhabitants would save about SEK 100 million (about 10.6m Euros or $12m) per year if the city’s buses ran on electricity instead of diesel.

This is the finding from extensive analysis conducted in collaboration between the Volvo Group and the audit and advisory firm KPMG. The analysis has taken into consideration such factors as noise, travel time, emissions, energy use, taxes and the use of natural resources.

“Standard investment appraisals do not take into account all of the costs that impact society and the environment. Therefore, to quantify all of the aspects, we have now calculated the monetary value of an electric bus line,” says Niklas Gustafsson, Head of Sustainability at the Volvo Group. “The results show that irrespective of the number of parameters taken into consideration, electric buses comprise the leading public transport solution.”

The analysis was based on a city with about half a million inhabitants and 400 buses. If the buses were run on electricity instead of diesel, the total annualized societal saving would be about SEK 100 million. Among other areas, the savings stem from reduced noise and air pollution, which is estimated to lead to decreased care costs of up to SEK 24 million (about 2.5m Euros or $2.9m). The annual reduction in carbon dioxide emissions would total 33,000 tons, corresponding to about 3,000 Swedish households.

“Electric buses are an excellent example of an innovation that can create substantial societal values,” says Daniel Dellham, KPMG. “By supplementing standard financial analysis with socioeconomic and environmental factors, one arrives at a more complete picture of the investment’s impact on companies and society.”

In June 2015, an entirely new electric bus line was opened in Gothenburg with the aim of developing and testing new solutions for sustainable public transport. The line is the result of a partnership between the Volvo Group and several partners from industry, research and society.

“The bus line is one of the most modern in the world and interest is incredibly high, not least due to the buses being completely silent and emission-free, and being run on electricity from wind and hydro power,” says Niklas Gustafsson. “But the innovation aspect primarily pertains to the complete transportation system. A system that we can now show meets society’s socioeconomic and environmental challenges.”

Electric bus manufacturer Proterra Inc. announced it has expanded its Catalyst platform to accommodate increased customer demand for advanced mass transit buses, by introducing a new 35-foot vehicle based on the same technology platform as its current 40-foot Catalyst vehicle.

Closely tracking the broader transportation trend towards advanced safety systems, the new 35-foot Catalyst electric bus provides customers with nimble maneuvering and enhanced automated features, including collision avoidance and traction control in a smaller model for dense urban areas, building on the performance of the 40-foot Catalyst vehicle.

Proterra is also announcing that Dallas Area Rapid Transit will be the first customer to receive seven, 35-foot Catalyst FC buses and two overhead semi-autonomous fast chargers. The seven buses will reduce DART’s emissions footprint while providing a clean, quiet ride for the agency’s 250,000 daily riders. “We believe in staying at the forefront of transit, so Proterra’s high performance zero-emission electric buses were an easy decision for us to make. These buses will give our riders and drivers the most modern bus transit experience on the road,” said DART president and executive director Gary Thomas.

Built from the ground-up to be completely optimized as an EV, the Catalyst is the only purpose-built bus in its class, recently proving its industry-leading performance by breaking four national records with the 40-foot vehicle in efficiency, gradeability, weight and acceleration at the Altoona Bus Research and Testing Center.

“The modular approach we have taken with the Catalyst design enables us to stay at the forefront of innovation and enable our customers to optimize their fleets over the average 12-year life of the bus,” said John Sleconich, Chief Engineer at Proterra. “Road safety is paramount to our design, so we’ve integrated a collision avoidance system that offers both safety benefits as well as potential customer savings.”

The modular configuration is a part of Proterra’s tech-centric approach to electrifying mass transit routes across the United States. It offers customers the flexibility to change or upgrade the energy storage and charging systems as their transit needs evolve. By choosing from two base vehicle sizes, then configuring each bus with the right type of energy storage and charging systems, transit agencies can meet each route’s daily range requirements, remain adaptable to future changes, eliminate fossil fuel emissions in their communities and ultimately save money over the lifetime of their vehicles.

“The overwhelming success of our 40-foot Catalyst bus continues to drive new demand. We’re pleased to have Dallas as our first customer as they redefine their urban core and invest in a Smart City vision, prioritizing infrastructure, mobility, and connected living,” said Ryan Popple, CEO of Proterra. “With Texas’ growing wind capacity, we’re pleased to provide a complementary clean mobility solution that will help Dallas improve its local air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

Electric bus manufacturer Proterra Inc. announced the opening of its headquarters in Silicon Valley.

The move positions Proterra to extend its market leadership by taking greater advantage of the region’s innovation culture and to serve the rapid growth in customer demand on the West Coast.

Proterra expects to find new opportunities for collaboration with other transportation innovators in the Bay Area as it launches its new headquarters.

“Proterra’s new headquarters further demonstrates an auspicious future for advanced transportation in California, as more companies choose to manufacture electric vehicles here,” said Panorea Avdis, Chief Deputy Director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.

Driven by increasing urbanization and strict air quality regulations, California is leading the transition to electric mass transit. With the 2016 opening of Proterra’s new Southern California manufacturing facility, Proterra is expected to double its production capacity, placing Proterra in an even stronger position to serve its growing list of California customers. The company’s firm orders are now at 123 units, with 317 options contracted, for a total of 440.

“Proterra’s opening of a California headquarters in Burlingame and a new manufacturing facility in the San Gabriel Valley shows that California continues to lead the nation in job creation and electric vehicle production,” said state Senator Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. “These new buses will be ‘Made in America’ and ‘Made in California’ and they’ll reduce our dependence on oil so we can meet our emissions reduction goals.”

By expanding its footprint in Silicon Valley, Proterra aims to be at the apex of transit innovation. The 34,440 square foot Burlingame headquarters will include a mix of management and support teams from the Advanced Engineering, Finance, Sales, Marketing, and HR departments with 40 employees initially. Proterra’s Greenville facility in South Carolina will continue to manufacture Proterra’s zero-emission electric buses to meet East Coast demand, while Proterra taps the robust high-tech talent pool in the Bay Area.

“The U.S. is in the midst of a complete reinvention of how we transport people and cargo and Silicon Valley is at the center of innovation in new powertrains and energy storage systems,” said Ryan Popple, CEO of Proterra. “As younger generations forgo car ownership and cities demand clean and quiet transit solutions, our goal is to help pioneer this movement.”