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Good
news for Bristol as they see the Alexander
Dennis Enviro400H Virtual Electric buses coming to their town. They will be
operated by First bus in Bristol on route 72 which goes from the City Centre to
UWE’s Frenchay Campus via Whiteladies Road & Gloucester Road.
From
First Bristol News
Two
revolutionary virtual electric buses were launched this week in Bristol. First
West of England are introducing the state-of-the-art low emission buses in
partnership with Department for Transport, Bristol City Council and University
of the West of England (UWE).
The
buses use Geo-Fencing GPS technology to run on pure electric mode in areas of low air quality, producing zero emissions.
The small diesel engine only runs in
areas of better air quality and simply charges the electric engine.
This
technology is revolutionary, there are only five in the UK, two in Bristol and
three in London on a trial basis. Engineers and scientists will examine how the
bus performs and crucially their environmental impact.
These
smooth and quiet buses will turn heads in their striking blue colour scheme and
‘electricity’ branding.
The
buses also have a unique way of charging. Once they reach UWE’s Frenchay Campus
(the terminus of their route) a special plate in the ground will charge the
buses wirelessly.
James
Freeman, Managing Director of First West of England said: “Bristol is the
perfect place to trial technology like this. During the Green Capital year in
2015 we trialled a Bio-Methane powered ‘poo bus’ so it is great that we now
have another exciting trial.”
“These
buses will make a massive impact to air quality as they spend a huge part of
the day running on pure electric mode (almost like a tram without rails),
meaning that in areas (such as the City Centre) where pollution is a problem,
these buses will quite literally be a breath of fresh air”
The
buses will feature on Service 72 which
runs from City Centre to UWE’s Frenchay Campus via Whiteladies Road &
Gloucester Road. The bus will run in full
electric mode throughout the City Centre, the diesel engine automatically
turns on to recharge the batteries at the start of Whiteladies Road where the
air quality improves. Once the buses reach the more polluted Gloucester Road
they will again revert to all-electric mode.
George
Ferguson, Mayor of Bristol said: “I am delighted that we have been able to
launch this cutting edge technology in Bristol, as the first city outside of
London to do so.
“This
adds to Bristol’s growing reputation as a laboratory for change and an
environmental innovator. These clean tech vehicles will help to reduce
pollution and improve the health of the city, and are part of the continuing
impact of our highly successful year as European Green Capital 2015.”
“My
goal is for Bristol to be one of the healthiest cities in the world and that
has to start with us breathing clean air.”
“I
am confident this trial of new technology will pave the way for the future of
electric buses in Bristol and beyond, adding to the many new sustainable
transport initiatives that are currently taking place across the city.”
The
buses are expected to enter service at the
end of January
Well
done to First Bristol for investing
in a couple of Virtual Electric buses for the Bristol bus service. I found out
from Bus and Coach Buyer that the project is in
partnership with DfT, Bristol City Council and University of the West of
England (UWE).
Currently
there are a small number of Virtual Electric buses on route 69 (Walthamstow
Central Station to Canning Town via Stratford) in London.
CityTransportInfo
have video footage of the Virtual Electric in service.
Hopefully
we may see a large increase in the use of Virtual
Electric buses; who knows, they could even have the Enviro400H City
bodywork which has design cues from the New Routemaster.
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always, follow me on Twitter, Tumblr,
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is @CLondoner92
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