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From: Autoblog Green
URL: http://green.autoblog.com/2010/05/16/china-plugs-in-next-wave-of-electric-cars-by-putting-buses-first/
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China plugs in next wave of electric cars by putting buses first

05-16-2010

Plug-in buses are not a new idea (examples here, here and here) but transportation planners in China seem to think that there is a benefit to getting them on the streets that goes beyond reducing fuel costs. A plug-in hybrid school bus developed by Enova Systems and IC Bus, for example, saw a 70 percent drop in diesel use, but the real benefit to the emerging plug-in bus network in cities like Beijing, where 50 such buses are in use now and 250 more are scheduled to go into service this year, could that they are paving the way for passenger plug-in vehicles. Since the buses are used on fixed routes, it's easier to get the battery-swap and plug-in infrastructure in place for them than it might otherwise be for a fleet of plug-in passenger cars. Once the system is there, expanding it to smaller vehicles is much more doable. Shanghai, writes China Daily, is planning on installing "400 more roadside charging points and seven to 10 large charging stations by the end of this year." With the Chinese government working to provide subsidies for plug-in vehicle purchases and a population ready for electric vehicles, the plan is a logical one. Thanks to Mos Dear for the tip!

[Source: China Daily | Image: the_toe_stubber - C.C. License 2.0]

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From: Autoblog Green
URL: http://green.autoblog.com/2010/05/18/video-london-mayor-approves-new-hybrid-double-decker-bus-design/

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Comments: A comment in the blog does a capital question= is it a regular or a plug-in hybrid?. Of course a plug-in hybrid is better, andthe best is solar-charged all-electric vehicle. Regards. -- No combustion

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Video: London mayor approves new hybrid double decker bus design

05-18-2010

New London hybrid double decker bus – Click above for high-res image gallery

For the past half century, the red double-decker Routemaster bus has been a London icon, but the time has long since come to replace the old machines. With that in mind, the city government has been working with designers to craft a new bus that improves on functionality, fuel consumption and emissions while still retaining the recognizable style.

Mayor Boris Johnson has now approved the new bus design produced by Wrightbus, and it includes a hybrid powertrain. The new bus is expected to be 15 percent more efficient than current hybrid buses and 40 percent better than older diesel double-deckers. The new buses have three doors and two staircases for easier movement of passengers. The first prototypes should be ready in 2011 with the buses entering service in 2012. Check out the video preview after the jump.


[Gallery Removed for Email]
[Source: City of London]