Dempsey welcomes introduction of new Hybrid Electric Bus

Date: 15 December 2008

Demonstrator bus promises fuel savings of up to 30%

The Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey T.D., today (15 December, 2008) welcomed the arrival of Dublin Bus’s newest vehicle – a diesel-electric hybrid double deck bus.

Speaking today Minister Dempsey said; "This new bus will can deliver fuel savings of up to 30% on normal diesel powered busses. It is 50% quieter and emits 30% less CO2 than a standard bus. It is ideally suited to city driving because it allows regenerated energy from braking to power the electric battery. This really is cutting edge green technology being developed and applied here in Ireland."

Minister Dempsey added; "The arrival of this bus underlines three key principles. These are –

· The need to explore all options to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and, therefore, to abate greenhouse gas emissions

· The importance, in times of economic difficulty, of keeping our focus on goals that can only be achieved through long-term actions

· The need to continue to invest in new technologies which can ensure that the island of Ireland is well placed to benefit from the economic recovery which will inevitably occur."

The new bus was built by Wrights in Ballymena (who have previously supplied buses to Bus Éireann and are due to commence delivery of 50 new traditionally-powered buses to Dublin Bus in the near future). The new hybrid vehicle will be introduced as a demonstration project into regular service shortly on one of Dublin Bus’s cross city routes. Based on Wrights Gemini bodywork with a normal double deck passenger layout, the new bus is powered by a 2.4 litre Ford Transit Euro 4 diesel engine and a Siemens hybrid electric drive system, supported by lithium ion batteries and regenerative braking. The indications, which will be tested over the coming years in normal operating conditions, are that the bus can deliver fuel savings of up to 30% on normal diesel powered buses.

A 30% saving on fuel for Dublin Bus across all its buses would equate to some 10.8 million litres of diesel.

"This project will throw real light on a potential future for more fuel-efficient public transport in Dublin. I’m particularly happy that the island of Ireland has combined, through the expertise of Wrights in Ballymena and the willingness of Dublin Bus with Government support, to trial the bus. Ireland can be at the forefront in developing and promoting modern vehicle technology that can deliver both environmental and financial rewards."

ENDS