The drive for zero emission and electric vehicles is well and truly at the forefront of the Australasian bus and coach industry, with new iterations and models exceeding expectations and setting the standard for the future.
While many have eagerly jumped aboard the bandwagon, the electric dream isn’t as easily accessible for certain operators.
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Those living in regional areas can expect to have a slower journey, the infrastructure needed to support these buses taking time to fully incorporate into operations.
However, in a drive to ensure these operators can still take their part in the move to low emissions, Scania Australia and Irizar Asia Pacific have paired up to present a solution.
The Scania Irizar i6 Hybrid presents the best of both worlds, a low emission solution for operators keen to reduce their carbon footprint without the need for costly infrastructure investment or any range restriction.
“Scania is well established as a reliable and supportive supplier of hybrid bus solutions, both in Australia and around the world,” Scania Bus and Power Solutions sales director Julian Gurney told ABC.
“We have more than 100 Scania Hybrid city buses in operation in Melbourne, and there will be more than 1,000 Scania Hybrid city buses operating in Spain by the end of 2025.
“Now, the Scania Irizar i6 Hybrid has arrived in Australia and is the perfect coach for operators looking to reduce their CO2 emissions without the expense of installing charging infrastructure required by BEV buses.”
Expected to be a major hit with regional operators, the hybrid bus can support long-distance charters and touring services with ease.
However, the most alluring feature is, of course, the ability to switch between battery and diesel.
“Operators in mining, long distance charter and rail replacement will find Scania Hybrid Irizar coaches are the perfect regional solution – just add diesel and go,” Gurney says.
Operators know the importance of keeping costs to a minimum, and fuel consumption is one of the main contributors to operating cost. An energy efficient powertrain can therefore offer significant savings.
“Our Scania Hybrid city buses have consistently returned fuel and emissions savings of more than 25 per cent in Australian conditions over typically heavy traffic duty cycles,” Gurney says.
The bus’s computer controls constantly monitor engine load and other system demands and, under the right conditions, the hybrid can switch to zero tailpipe emissions mode and drive at speeds up to 100kmh, further extending the fuel savings.
Scania has specified a 360hp (265kW) Euro 6 engine with 1700Nm of torque, a 12-speed Scania Opticruise gearbox, and Alcoa Durabrite alloy wheels as standard in combination with the Irizar i6.
“For operators determined to achieve the greatest possible CO2 reductions, fuelling the Scania Hybrid with Australian-sourced biodiesel can reduce CO2 exhaust emissions by 80-90 per cent,” Gurney says.
The electric motor fitted to the Scania Hybrid is rated at 130kW and generates 1050Nm of torque and drives through the same Scania automated Opticruise gearbox.
The new and more powerful single unit 32kWh battery can provide up to eight km of travel in silent zero emission mode, which is perfect for pulling in and out of passenger pick-up locations, such as bus stops and underground coach terminals, where an exhaust and noise-free environment really benefits the travelling public.
Irizar Asia Pacific managing director Steve Heanes says he is excited to offer this solution to operators and sees it as a great stepping stone to reducing carbon footprints.
“While I haven’t always been an advocate of the ZEB world, it is evident that we need to work towards emissions reductions and where possible eliminate them all together,” Heanes told ABC.
“There must be an agnostic approach to this transition, where solutions are based on geographics, infrastructure and investment.
“It’s not just about power but more long-term sustainable support from OEMs considering the length of time the Australia market demands from it buses.”
Heanes says this model could provide that first point of support to operators, particularly in the mining and charter markets.
“The introduction of the Hybrid solution in high floor buses is a great stepping stone for a regional operator,” he says.
“It is giving them the opportunity to contribute to the emission reduction task we face as an industry.”
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