BONLUCK HYBRID BUS ON TRIAL IN MELBOURNE
On trial in the Australian city of Melbourne is since a couple of weeks a Chinese diesel-electric hybrid city bus. The bus is imported by Bus & Coach International, a distributor of buses and coaches which are manufactured by the Chinese Bonluck Bus company uf Nanchang.
The Bonluck JXK6120BCF diesel-electric hybrid bus has a parallel system working with an integrated starter/generator, an Eaton driveline and a battery package, offering the possibility to drive about 50 km emission-free. The company claims a reduction of the fuel consumption with at least 30%. The diesel engine used is a Cummins Euro 4 engine. The bus further has a ZF portal axle at rear. Bonluck claims its hybrid bus reduces operating costs, lowers emissions, is fuel-efficient and reduces brake wearing by using a brake energy recovery system.