Title of Example

Example

VIVALDI - Clean Vehicle Initiatives

Wrightbus ‘Electrocity’

VIVALDI project partner First planned to introduce and trial 4 hybrid diesel-electric midibuses built by Wrightbus. The bus is low floor and has a range of 150-250 miles depending upon operation. Top speed: 45mph. It was recently trialed in Bristol but is not yet commercially available.

Emissions performance is targeted to exceed standards for Euro 4 in 2005.

Emissions comparison –

Electrocity Euro 4 (2005 standard)

NOx (oxides of nitrogen) 0.75 2.61

HC (hydrocarbons) 0.4 0.41

CO (carbon monoxide) 0.56 2.98

PM (particulates) 0.012 0.0149

Projected cost is around £170,000 (2002)

Hybrid Bus

Bristol have engaged a consortium, led by Eneco, to build a hybrid diesel-electric bus for operation in Bristol, possibly on the 905/Clear Zones orbital routes, or a combination of the two. The engine is being developed by Eneco and will operate within a 29 seater Optare Solo bus.

Emissions benefits: Targets versus standard Optare Solo bus -

All harmful emissions will be significantly reduced, target reductions relative to an equivalent Euro 3 engined vehicle will be: CO by 25%, NOX by 25%, HC by 25%, Particulates by 25% and CO2 by 35%.

Target fuel consumption reduction will be approximately 30%.

The engine will be programmed to the route – periods of electric operation will be scheduled for those areas where emissions benefits are most desirable, regenerative braking is a further energy-efficient feature.

Total project cost £209,550 (including contributions from Eneco, LTC, Energy savings Trust, BCC (£70,000 plus donor vehicle).

Trial in Bristol and project sign-off scheduled for September 2003.

Electric Bus

Vehicle Specification: Known as the Tecnobus, the vehicle is manufactured in Italy by Tecnobus S.r.l, carries 26 passengers and is low floor. The vehicle is battery powered and also features regenerative braking, having the lowest unit consumption of energy in this category of vehicle. Vehicle cost (1997): £75,600, battery cost £5,500 per set. It has a range of 100km on a single charge with a maximum speed of 33km/hour, making it most suitable for urban operation.

Use: 2 vehicles have operated since 1997 on the 905 Park and Ride route (Centaur project).

It is planned that one vehicle will now be converted into a mobile information vehicle or ‘I-bus’ as part of VIVALDI.

The vehicle is zero emission from source, totally emission-free if powered from a renewable energy source.

Dial a Ride LPG minibus

As part of VIVALDI a fully accessible LPG minibus was introduced in August 2002. The vehicle serves a new service area launched simultaneously. The vehicle is a dual fuel petrol LPG Mercedes Sprinter Minibus. The use of LPG was reviewed during the first 6 months of use and found to be operationally acceptable. On this basis two further LPG vehicles of a similar type have been ordered replacing older diesel vehicles as part of fleet renewal.

Emissions Benefits: Reduction of 2 bands – HC and NOx of 68%.

61% reduction of CO over the legislated standard. 17.7% reduction of CO2 over comparable petrol/diesel vehicle.

Fuel consumption (urban operation):

Litres LPG/100 km Diesel equivalent litre/100km Petrol litres/100 km

20.47 13.1 17.80

Conversion cost to LPG operation: £2,430

Retrofitting

As part of VIVALDI 34 First buses were retrofitted with particulate traps (19) and catalysts (15) (phase 1). Retrofitting technology was chosen according to the current Euro emission level and engine type of the vehicle. Vehicles retrofitted serve 4 different services, all serving city centre destinations. Catalysts were fitted on older vehicles and particulate traps were fitted on the newer vehicles. It is estimated that emissions on each retrofitted bus will have improved by approximately one level of Euro. Retrofitting those buses running largely in the central area will assist in improving air quality levels according with the Council’s proposed Clear Zone and Air Quality Management Area.

Emissions benefits -

Particulate traps:

Reduce particulate matter, CO and HC by up to 95%

Catalytic action reduces CO and HC by 90%

Oxidation catalysts:

Reduce HC and CO by up to 90%

Reduce PM by 25%

Total project cost VIVALDI phase 1: £77,250

Funding contributions from Energy Savings Trust, BCC and First

Municipal Fleet

The Council has an ongoing commitment to replace existing vehicles with LPG fuelled vehicles. During the lifetime of the project it is proposed to add a further 50 LPG vehicles to the fleet and introduce further electric and hybrid vehicles as part of VIVALDI. Operation of LPG vehicles within the municipal fleet has been successful, with relatively few problems, most of which have been resolved by the vehicle suppliers. It is proposed to retrofit 10 older and larger diesel vehicles less suited to LPG operation with particulate traps or oxidisation catalysts. So far 26 LPG vehicles have been introduced and successfully operated within the Councils fleet from the start of the project.

G-Wiz electric cars

The emission and noise free ‘G-Wiz’ cars are being tested by Bristol City Council as part of its pool car operations and will offer employees a new sustainable way to travel between offices and around the city in the course of their duties.

Bristol City Council is making use of European funding to pilot the electric cars as part of an ongoing package of innovative measures to tackle transport issues like air pollution, congestion and social inclusion. The scheme forms part of the VIVALDI European Commission supported project which is led by five city authorities, namely Bristol (UK), Bremen (Germany), Nantes (France), Aalborg (Denmark) and Kaunas (Lithuania). In Bristol the project comprises a £9m package of sustainable transport measures.

Two of the five cars will operate from the council’s premises at Wilder House and three vehicles from the CREATE Centre. At both these premises the cars’ batteries will be recharged using mains electricity generated from renewable energy sources. Therefore the vehicles will be totally pollution free.

Recharging points are also being introduced at the Council House, and other coucil owned buildings around the city to allow the batteries to be topped up in between uses. The cars are ideal for stop-start city driving with a top speed of 40mph and a range of 40 miles. The fuel cost can be as low as 1p per mile. They do, however, have difficulty going up steep hills.

The fleet will be branded as part of the council’s TravelBristol initiative, making them recognisable as part of transport initiatives in the city.

For more information on the VIVALDI project visit www.vivaldiproject.org

For more information on GWIZ visit www.goinggreen.co.uk

Last Updated

13th January 2005