NEW OPTARE RAPTA INTEGRAL DOUBLEDECKER WITH HYBRID DRIVE
Optare plc, the British bus manufacturer, has launched a new integral double-decker with MAN engine, that will later be offered in hybrid form with a system developed by the American company Enova.
The Optare Rapta is an integral double decker bus, and one of the first models of the new Optare vehicle range to have a newly developed family look, the other of which is the new Solo+. The Rapta is the first new Optare-designed double decker since the Spectra low-floor in 1997 that was discontinued in 2005. It is available with a MAN EGR Euro V engine as standard power plant. The vehicle has a low unladen weight of only 10700kg for optimised fuel economy
Optional outfit is the Enova hybrid drive, which is completely interchangeable with diesel bus. The Enova hybrid uses lithium-ion battery technology. The body is an aluminium integral construction with foam core aluminium composite roof and inter-deck for long life and durability.
Enova is the main supplier of hybrid systems to Optare, delivering them as plug-in hybrid diesel-electric or full-electric versions. The latest lithium ion battery technology is used to provide maximum vehicle range and fuel efficiency. Enova's electric and hybrid drive system solutions include fully integrated on-board or stationary battery charging systems.