A new generation of electric buses are taking to the road in the Netherlands and Canada.
Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD is supply a fleet of six of its all-electric buses to ply routes in the Dutch city of Schiermonnikoog in the province of Friesland.
The tiny, 16 km-long island has only around 1000 residents and virtually no cars, but is visited by over 350,000 tourists a year.
From early next year, they will be able to ride on BYD’s 12 m long, 60-70 passenger all-electric buses. The vehicles, which are powered by BYD’s iron phosphate batteries, can travel 250-300 km between charging and are already in service in the Chinese city of Shenzhen and at Los Angeles airport.
BYD fought off other major bus manufacturers to win the contract, which also includes a 15-year maintenance commitment.
Meanwhile, an all-electric bus developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) in conjunction with the government of Manitoba, local companies and a Canadian college is taking to the streets of Winnipeg for trials over the next two years.
The 12 m ‘E-Bus’, powered by MHI’s lithium-ion batteries, has been under development since April last year between MHI, Manitoba Hydro, Red River College and New Flyer Industries Canada ULC, a Canadian manufacturer of heavy-duty transit buses.
The trials will particularly look to test the E-Bus in cold weather, while promoting the concept of electric buses in North America.
For further information:
www.byd.com
www.mhi.co.jp
Related stories:
UK government gives green light to over 400 low-carbon buses (27-Mar)
Chinese city of Shenzhen expands electric bus and taxi fleet by 1500 (28-Feb)
Hertz to use BYD’s electric bus at Los Angeles airport (28-Oct)
Article source: http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/5163/
