VDL are to build the
world’s first bus to run on Formic Acid.
From Route One
A
12m VDL Citea Electric will become the world’s first formic acid-powered bus
during 2016. It is the result of a collaboration between VDL Bus & Coach and Team FAST.
In
nature, wood ants deter predators by squirting formic acid as a defence. It is
also found in stinging nettles. Commercially it is used as a preservative, in
leather production and cleaning products.
Team
FAST, a group of 25 students from Eindhoven University of Technology, presented
a model car that runs on formic acid in January.
“We
have liquefied electricity,” says Tim van Lohuizen of Team FAST. “And we look
forward to the challenge of further developing our system for use in buses with
VDL.”
“We
are constantly looking for new technologies that make it easier to extend the
range of zero emission transportation.
“The
conversion of formic acid to hydrogen is one of these promising new
technologies,” says Menno Kleingeld, MD of VDL Enabling Transport Solutions
(VDL ETS).
Eindhoven’s
researchers have discovered a way to quickly and efficiently transform hydrogen
into liquid formic acid and back again into hydrogen.
Formic
acid as liquid energy carrier can be stored and transported much more easily.
Existing
filling stations could be used for the energy supply, because a bus that runs
on formic acid does not need to be recharged but rather fills up with formic
acid, like filling a tank with diesel.
This
means no emission of harmful gases and a much greater range than what is
currently common for vehicles with alternative powertrains.
The
modular construction of the Citea range makes it possible to choose from
various electric drive systems, battery packs and charging systems
This
modular design also allows the adaptations for driving on formic acid, without
consequences for accessibility, interior layout or comfort.
Team
FAST is engaged in the development of technology that can use formic acid as a
renewable, liquid, innovative energy carrier.
It's encouraging to
see how manufacturer's and organisations are coming up with new technology to
power buses instead of using diesel which leads to pollution.
Updates from LOTS
(London Omnibus Traction Society) on the short
New Routemaster.
The
short NBfL/New Routemaster duly arrived with Metroline last week. This is the same bus that was ‘LT806’ last
December, then ‘ST2001’ but has now been re-christened ‘ST812’. It should appear in due course on route 91 and must not be confused with the ‘Wrightbus SRM’ which is
a new model on Volvo B5LH chassis. Last
Monday the Red Arrow commemoration duly occurred with MEC50 and MBA444 doing
runs over current route 507 and original route 500.
Also, the conversion
to 3 door, 2 staircase New Routemaster buses on route 91 is expected to be
completed with the new buses entering service by April 2016, according to
London Bus Routes service changes page.
With the Volvo B5LH SRM (Son of Routemaster), they are
expected to enter service by September 2016 on route 13. These two door (New)
Routemasters are bought by private operating companies, as opposed to TFL
buying the 3 door 2 staircase New Routemasters.
This was just a quick
news update for the new week.
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- @CLondoner92