Moving the Masses with Less Greenhouse Gases
MP3 RadioCanada’s first hybrid buses now operate in Kelowna and Victoria, British Columbia. This new technology for heavy duty vehicles sets the bar higher for fuel efficient, environmentally-friendly bus fleets in the country.
BC Transit, the agency responsible for providing public transportation throughout most of the province, purchased six of these innovative buses at a price tag of about $800,000CAD each. Althrough pricey, the agency expects to make back the investment in 10 - 12 years through an anticipated 58% reduction in fuel consumption and associated lower operating costs, and all the while doing good things for the environment. The hybrid buses are also expected to generate fewer greenhouse gases than conventional ones, perhaps as much as 60% less.
[img:hybridbus]Hybrid means that there are more than one type of motive power in use. The buses rely on a smaller than normal internal combustion engine burning diesel and an energy storage unit (a large battery). The engine-generator combination works in parallel with the battery, providing electrical power to keep the battery charged. As a result, the engine operates only in its most efficient ranges.
In this program, ekosRadio co-hosts Starr Munro and Rick Searle, speak with Ron Harmer, VP of Technical Services for BC Transit about the hybrid buses and about the next step into the world of hydrogen fuel cells.
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