BATTERY ELECTRIC AND DIESEL BUSES COMPARED HEAD TO HEAD
Published at 27.07.2010 in Alternatives, Minibuses
A comparative trial between Britain's first viable full-size, battery-powered bus – the Optare Solo EV – and a diesel engine equivalent, could accelerate the introduction of cleaner buses to Britain. Warwickshire bus and coach operator Johnsons Coach & Bus Travel is a partner in the six-day trial, which takes place in Stratford-upon-Avon this month and will involve measuring air and noise pollution on town streets.
CNG-FUELLED BUS COMPLETES 322,000 KM ALTOONA TEST WITH SUCCESS
Published at 09.03.2010 in Alternatives, Minibuses
A Creative Bus CNG installation on a Ford bus recently completed the demanding North-American Altoona Bus Test without any unscheduled maintenance or repairs to the CNG fuel system. Built on the Ford E-450 chassis, the cutaway bus is 25′ in length and has a passenger capacity of twenty one. The proprietary compressed natural gas fuel system was designed and installed in California by Creative Bus Sales, a company that specializes in CNG bus conversions.
NEW AIR SUSPENSION FOR MINIBUSES FROM DRIVE-RITE
Published at 07.03.2010 in Components, Minibuses
Dublin-based Drive-Rite Air Suspensions says its new Generation II IntelliRide Electronic Air Suspension is aimed at vans, minibuses, ambulances and community transport vehicles. It is an air suspension control system, pioneered by Firestone, which can be adapted to meet the most specific needs of a vehicle maker or converter.
EU DECIDES ABOUT LIGHT COMMERCIAL VEHICLE EMISSIONS
Published at 10.11.2009 in Minibuses, Environment
The European Commission is proposing new legislation to reduce the average CO2 emissions of light commercial vehicles to 175grammes/km. The proposal will be phased in from 2014-2016, and contains a long term emission reduction target of 135grammes/km by 2020. The format of the proposed legislation is similar to the proposals on passenger cars agreed at the end of 2008.
LDV BOUGHT BY CHINESE COMPANY
Published at 31.10.2009 in International developments, Minibuses
After production stopped at LDV's Birmingham site in December 2008, the van maker's assets have now been acquired by the Chinese company Eco Concept Ltd, a special vehicle engineering company owned by Dr Qu Li. The assets were bought from the CV builder's administrators, PricewaterhouseCoopers, for an undisclosed sum.
