Hino will unveil advances on the low-floor Poncho bus at an international show later this month
November 18, 2013
Hino will unveil a new range a new range of concepts for urban and industrial use at an international show later this month.
Building on the blueprint of its low-floor Poncho bus, Hino has scaled-down the Poncho Mini concept to better suit congested urban centres.
Its diminutive size belies the Poncho Mini’s generous interior space, made possible by clever packaging and the exclusive use of EV technology.
Because Hino engineers designed the battery packs to fit evenly along the bus chassis, the Poncho Mini avoids the traditional loss of interior space to accommodate engine and drivetrain components.
This also allows for a low, no-step floor, enabling wheelchairs, mobility vehicles and strollers to easily board and disembarks – a feature absent on current, diesel-powered buses.
The Hino Poncho Mini does not emit air, ground or noise pollution in its immediate environment, leading to cleaner air in central urban areas, while the efficiency of electric motors far outweighs that of internal combustion – 90 per cent for electric motors versus just 30 per cent for fossil-fuel power.
The greater energy efficiencies of EV technology means less demand on energy resources, including dependency on both fossil fuels and renewable resources.
Also gracing Hino’s stand is a plug-in hybrid version of its popular Melpha bus and a S’elega tour bus.
A number of demonstrations of the EV and plug-in hybrid technology found in the Poncho Mini and Melpha will take place at the Hino stand during the course of the show.
The 2013 Tokyo Motor Show will run from November 20 to December 1, showcasing international manufacturers’ latest technology in buses, trucks, cars, motorbikes and bicycles.