London to introduce world's first double-decker hybrid bus
Sat 11 February 2006
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London is to have a hybrid bus fleet, including the first hybrid double-decker bus in the world. Announcing the plans, the Mayor, Ken Livingstone, said that hybrid buses are an important step towards the long-term goal of a low carbon transport system.
Northern Ireland-based Wrightbus has delivered the first double-decker bus to London following delivery of six 'Electrocity' hybrid single-deckers to the city earlier this year. The Wrightbus' double-decker hybrid was also on display at EuroBus 2006 in Birmingham in early November.
Meanwhile, Optare Group a leading independent bus maker, is to be the first UK producer to offer the GM Allison hybrid transmission system which, the company says, offers lower emissions, higher fuel efficiency, strong reliability and ease of packaging. The system has already been adopted by a number of European bus makers following excellent operational experience in North America.
The Allison system is a parallel hybrid design combining power from a diesel engine with electric power from a battery.
Allison has produced over 500 diesel-electric hybrid bus systems for the United States and Canada. Optare's Tempo model is expected to be available for delivery later in 2007.
Related Links
GLA press release
Optare Group press release
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