ABB Fast “Opportunity Chargers” Enable Nonstop Electric Bus Service In Harrogate (UK) (Assignment 4 - Topic 2)

[Arslan Ijaz]

https://cleantechnica.com/2017/04/25/abb-chargers-enable/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+IM-cleantechnica+%28CleanTechnica%29

[Arslan Ijaz]

On one side in UK, the high court has ordered Government to re consider and explain the delay in the implementation of the clean air rules. But it is good to see that on the other side in northern England -  Harrogate, ABB won the contract to supply fast charging for the electric buses. It is a great initiative to control the biggest source of pollution in that area. As compared to London, where hundreds and thousands of children are within the 150 meters range from the source of an excessive NOx emission zone. These buses will generate zero emission at the point of use which means there will not be any pollution issues because of these buses around that area. Besides zero emission, they are quiet, have low maintenance and operating cost. This fast charging will help in uninterpreted commute of those buses, just in 3 - 6 minutes it will be charged enough to complete its route. Being 20% more efficient than diesel buses is a great benefit on the operating cost. I hope this will work out and eventually all the major cities adopt this transport system so that heavy pollution can be controlled in the cities and their surrounding areas. 

[Martinez, Alfred S.]

This is exciting news for ABB, but moreso for the passengers and residents of Harrogate. This is almost a no-brainer for Transdev Blazefield with 0 emissions, lower maintenance and operating costs as well as less noise and air pollution, AND BETTER EFFICIENCY. This seems like a win for all parties involved; the transportation provide, local residents, and especially the environment! Hopefully this project is successful and would lead for this initiative across the country and possibly elsewhere.

One comparison that would have to be made would be between the emission generated between a fleet of diesel vehicles and the power source for a fleet of electric vehicles. 

[Wojciech Trawinski]

ABB is really playing well into the idea that public transport can be clean and sustainable. The use of zero emission public transport will help to slow the effects of climate change as well as enforce the idea that green can be powerful. The reason diesel engines are used in buses is that they are reliable and can run for years under harsh conditions. Similar to Teslas rapid charging ideology, I think this too will take off. Another good aspect to this switch that there is no real "buy-in" from the general public. People will continue to use the buses as per usual, only now with the added benefit of a cleaner ride. Hopefully this idea spreads and can be implemented in other major cities. 

[Chun S]

This is great to news to see the UK government bought electric buses to the city. It could be more efficiently reduce noise, however, I’m not 100% sure how much air pollution that will actually be reduced by using electric buses, if the electricity the buses use is still generated by other dirty fossil such as coal and petroleum, it wouldn’t help the environment much. 

[Agustin Quintana]

I think its great that the UK government is investing in renewable energy for public transportation. As referenced in many other articles discussed, I think governments need to take an active role in renewable energy by implementing it into the public transportation sector. As Chun mentioned, this will help with noise pollution and air quality in heavily dense city's. Although, I do not know if electric motors will work for public transport as the vehicles cover large distances for long periods of time. Yet, I believe hybrid engines would be a great fit for buses as they do a lot of start and stop maneuvers. 

I hope governments continue to invest and push for renewable energy in the public transportation sector. 

[Arslan Ijaz]

There will definitely be pollution being generated at the source point of electricity for these buses, but I would like to point out two things here to defend this new technology. One, as compared to diesel buses, these electric buses are using 20% less energy that means they using less electricity in terms of energy as compared to the diesel fuel. Second, the point of use where these people can directly be affected by the pollution, these buses are generating zero emissions. While on the opposite side, diesel buses generate pollution and the passengers directly being affected by that pollution because of being in that specific range. 

[Dobhal, Shivani]

Exciting news for commuters and clean air advocates alike in Great Britain! ABB is setting forth an excellent benchmark for other companies to step forward and supply more such charging stations for these electric buses. Besides the clean air incentive, these buses are offering low maintenance, low cost advantage besides being quiet. Hence, not only is it providing cleaner, fresher air but also a comfortable riding experience to its passengers and other drivers on the road. This is definitely a step in the right direction for the British.