Italian heavy vehicles powerhouse Iveco is supplying 120 new 18-metre articulated hybrid buses to Milans public transport operator, ATM, to renew its fleet.
A statement from CNH Industrial Group, the owners of the Iveco brand, said that the commercial vehicle specialist won a tender from the northern Italian citys transport operator last January for the renewal of its fleet for a three-year period from 2017 to 2019, and then signed a contract with it for the supply of 21 vehicles. The contract was then extended to include 99 more vehicles.
ATM thus leads the way in the development of this kind of technology in Italy, a technology that is already in use in some other countries, such as the UK, France, Belgium and Spain, the statement added.
The model Iveco is supplying is the Urbanway Hybrid, which was developed by the company to significantly reduce emissions and fuel consumption while ensuring increasingly-sustainable mobility for the community it serves. The Urbanway Hybrid consumes up to 30% less fuel than conventional buses, with reductions of 33% and 40% in CO2 and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions per kilometre respectively, compared with diesel buses. That’s 35t less CO2 every year or the weight of two buses, said the statement.
According to Iveco, the new vehicle combines an electric traction system with a Euro VI internal combustion engine and a latest-generation lithium-ion battery pack. A smart power management system optimises fuel consumption and emissions during movement, while excess braking energy is preserved in a storage system. The Arrive & Go function permits 100% electric operation with zero emissions when approaching and leaving bus stops, even where significant distances are involved.
Another advantage of the Urbanway Hybrid is its complete silence, said the statement. The all-electric Arrive and Go mode used when approaching and leaving bus stops temporarily disables the generator, eliminating vibration and reducing noise levels by more than 50%. The perceived benefits in terms of noise are immediate, not only for passengers but also for pedestrians, people waiting for a bus and local residents.
All vehicles included in the contract are equipped with series-hybrid systems comprising a 175 (peak)/120 kW (continuous mode) electric motor and a 210kW Tector internal combustion engine.
This particular version of ATM buses comes in a customised green colour and features four outswinging doors with electrical door controls, a manual ramp facilitating access for people with reduced mobility, installed behind the second door, a 60kW air-conditioning system that ensures maximum thermal comfort for the vehicle’s 149 passengers and driver.
The vehicle is also equipped with cutting-edge passenger information systems, diagnostics for localisation and communication with the operations centre, as well as an internal audio system that announces the next stop. The contract also includes a five-year full service maintenance agreement.
Delivery of the first vehicle is scheduled for June 2017.
