New electric bus to be unveiled

[NewsCaster]

An electric, battery powered bus developed in West Yorkshire is to be unveiled to operators.

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[Western SMT]

Optare details and press release on this story

http://s261370817.websitehome.co.uk/...?ID=69&Index=1

[G-CPTN]

Electric vehicles were around before the infernal combustion engine became so popular. The mechanisms required to operate are simpler than those required for IC vehicles.
The disadvantages are 'fuel' storage and replenishment.

The range is around 60 miles on a full overnight charge

If greater storage was provided (this would increase weight and maybe reduce passenger space) then greater range could be provided, however the recharging time would be longer (unless multiple chargers operating in split mode were utilised).

the change from diesel to electric drive adds only 480kg to the unladen weight

This is for the restricted (compared to the diesel) range. Increasing storage capacity would increase the unladen weight.

The drivetrain is much simpler than that of its diesel counterpart with the engine and gearbox being replaced by a motor driving the rear wheels.

Overnight charging yields the greatest economy by taking advantage of low rate electricity and at current electricity prices it is anticipated that a full vehicle charge can be achieved for £6.40.

Servicing is simplified because the electric engine has only three moving parts compared to over 1000 in a combustion engine, so there is less to repair or go wrong. Maintenance time and costs are also lower because there is no oil and filter change requirement

[Western SMT]

Could it not be argued that until recently the oil and motor companies have stifled the efforts of those wishing to take it further.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_Kil...lectric_Car%3F

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/07/25/paul.commentary/

[G-CPTN]

The conspiracy theorists continue to emerge, but the facts are that if it had been economically viable to develop an alternative to the internal combustion engine then someone would have done it. Until battery technology evolves we will be stuck with hydrocarbon fossil fuels.
I was involved with testing the Wankel engine for Rolls Royce, but it proved to be too thirsty and unreliable. There's no saying that someone could develop it, but meanwhile the many decades of experience of reciprocating engines secures it as the preferred method.
Fuel cells have been known about for several decades too, but so far nobody has succeeded in making them commercially viable.

The best bet at present (IMO) would be a turbo-diesel. If the emissions of two-strokes could be addressed then they would be superior to four strokes.