Two Iveco 12 m hybrid Citelis buses in the Annecy’s Regional Bus fleet

Turin, 4 October 2012

On 17 September, during the European Mobility Week, Annecy’s Regional Bus Company Sibra announced the arrival of two Iveco Irisbus Citelis buses, the first hybrid Diesel-electric buses, in its fleet.

Sibra is responsible for the commercial operation and coordination of local public transport on behalf of the urban transport authority, the Community of Agglomeration of Annecy (C2A). The C2A is made up of 13 municipalities, representing more than 140,000 people, and is chaired by the mayor of Annecy, Mr. Jean-Luc Rigaut.

At the inauguration, Mr. Rigaut confirmed: "Sibra is particularly attentive to environmental issues. This is why we have decided to buy innovative, clean, low-noise buses. We wanted to set an example when it comes to new energy sources. This investment will show just how important the environmental and economic benefits of this new technology can be".

A three-way "hybrid performance" agreement has been signed between Sibra, C2A and Iveco Irisbus, who have all committed to a four year partnership. Lionel Blain, Director of City Bus Sales at Iveco Irisbus, confirmed "We are committed as partners, not just as suppliers". The data obtained in connection with the agreement will confirm the ecological and economic returns generated by these vehicles.

Philippe Grand, Director of Public Relations at Iveco Irisbus, informed the audience at the inauguration ceremony that "calculations carried out according to a method developed by Ademe (*) have indicated 30% savings on diesel, corresponding to more than 25 tonnes of greenhouse gas per vehicle, per year, that will not be released into the atmosphere". He added that "the Citelis hybrid is a product of France – or should I say the Rhône-Alpes region, because it was designed and developed near Lyon, and was manufactured in Annonay".

(*)Agency for the Environment and Energy Control

Iveco Irisbus hybrid buses: a high-performance, reliable structure

True to its vocation as an innovative manufacturer, and on the strength of more than 15 years' experience in hybrid technologies, Iveco Irisbus is able to meet the steadily growing demand for greener, more eco-friendly vehicles thanks to its Citelis bus. Available in 12 and 18 m models, the bus has a futuristic latest-generation propulsion technology known as diesel-electric hybridization.

Developed thanks to a close partnership with BAE Systems, the suppliers of components for the electric powertrain, the standard diesel-electric hybrid technology combines a 6-litre small-cylinder Diesel Tector engine, made by FPT Industrial (Fiat Powertrain Technologies Industrial) with an electric motor-generator that recovers the energy accumulated during deceleration.

Bus drivers are unanimous in their praise of the hybrid vehicle's handling, which has shown to be easy to drive, offering both power and smoothness, with good, seamless recovery, which provides a benefit in terms of passenger comfort.

Iveco: record orders for hybrid buses

Iveco has now passed the milestone of 200 orders for its Diesel-electric hybrid buses (including those already delivered, confirmed and with conditional instalments). Since February 2011, 24 hybrid buses have been put into operation in Poitiers, Toulon, Monza (Milan), Paris, Reunion Island, Canada (for a trial period of several months with the Montreal Transport Company and on the Longueuil Transport Network), and also in Annecy since 17 September.

Demonstrations of various hybrid buses are taking place on various networks in France and Europe. The order book, which now stands at 180 orders, mainly concerns the networks in Dijon, Bordeaux, Rouen, Angers and Nantes.

Iveco is part of the Fiat Industrial Group, which for the second year running has been recognised as the leader in its sector, by the Global and Europe Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI). This recognition brings further validation for Fiat Industrial’s achievements in the field of sustainable development, and for its unflagging commitment towards its business partners and the rest of society.

Iveco

Iveco, a Fiat Industrial company, designs, manufactures, and markets a broad range of light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles, off-road trucks, city and intercity buses and coaches as well as special vehicles for applications such as fire fighting, off-road missions, defence and civil protection.

Iveco employs almost 25,000 people and runs in 11 Countries in the world using excellent technologies. The company operates in Europe, China, Russia, Australia and Latin America. Around 5,000 sales and service outlets in over 160 Countries guarantee technical support wherever in the world an Iveco vehicle is at work.

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ref:  IVECO 12036

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