Scania presents emission-free fuel-cell bus concept

Scania presents emission-free fuel-cell bus concept At the 54th UITP public transport exhibition in London this week Scania introduces a new emission-free fuel-cell bus concept. The bus is driven by a hybrid electrical propulsion system, including a battery buffer. The electric energy is generated by fuel cells using hydrogen as fuel. Brake energy is recycled. The bus has been developed within the framework of an EU research project involving several cutting-edge companies, with 50% support of funds from EU's non-nuclear energy programme (JOULE). The overall project budged runs at EUR 4.3 million. Environmental impact Fuelled with pure hydrogen, the bus exhausts only water. The operation of the propulsion system is therefore virtually emission-free. The energy consumption of the prototype has been reduced by 60% compared to a similar bus with a diesel engine and hydrostatic transmission. This sizeable improvement in fuel consumption has been achieved through the high efficiency of the propulsion and fuel-cell systems, as well as regenerative braking. Focus on all noise sources has resulted in a vehicle with a bypass noise level of only 70 dB. Noise emissions from the bus are less than from a small passenger car. To achieve this ultra-low noise level, all components and sub-systems have been specified and designed for low noise. Vision - future urban transport Future urban passenger transport systems will require a more integrated approach. The image of public transport must be improved to make it more attractive to a larger part of the population. Underground and light- rail systems, for example, have paved the way for greater popularity, although at very high investment levels. Taking advantage of new electric powertrain technologies together with advanced traffic control and information systems may well prove to be ideal solutions for medium-size cities. Integrated with existing rail and underground networks, these new buses will be very attractive for larger cities as well, providing unrivalled flexibility. EU research project Powertrain development, which has traditionally focussed on combustion engines, needs to be broadened to include new technologies. The objective of the fuel-cell bus project is to gain experience of fuel- cell and hybrid-electric powertrain technologies within Scania, as well as within the Lund Institute of Technology. The project also aims at creating training programmes within these areas. Such resources are vital for future environmental improvements. After the finalisation of the EU research project, the concept bus will undergo comprehensive testing to assess the potential of the new technologies, as well as to find methods to optimise energy usage, noise and vibration. The test data will form the basis of a new simulation tool for complete buses with the new technologies. This will be followed by new concept studies and risk assessments, the latter including life- cycle costs, well-to-wheel analyses, fuel infrastructure and legal requirements. Scania's research partners in this project have been Air Liquide (project co-ordination, fuel-cell system and design, fuel storage), CEA (fuel-cell testing), Nuvera (fuel-cell design and supply), SAR (control systems), University of Genoa (air compressor design study), ZF (powertrain supply). The project will be evaluated in co-operation with the Lund Institute of Technology. For illustrations, see www.scania.com, Media services, Press releases. For further information, please contact · Gunnar Boman, Head of Communications, Scania Buses & Coaches tel. +46 150 58599, e-mail gunnar.boman@scania.com · Lars Overgaard, Project Manager Fuel-Cell Concept, Scania Buses & Coaches tel. +45 20223111, e-mail lars.overgaard@scania.com · Scania is one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks and buses for heavy transport applications, and of industrial and marine engines. With 26,900 employees and production facilities in Europe and Latin America, Scania is one of the most profitable companies in its sector. In 2000, turnover totalled SEK 53,800 million and the result after financial items was SEK 4,500 million. Scania products are marketed in about 100 countries worldwide and some 95 percent of Scania's vehicles are sold outside Sweden. Bus manufacture takes place in Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. Scania press releases are available on the Internet, www.scania.com ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/05/23/20010523BIT01020/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/05/23/20010523BIT01020/bit0001.pdf