http://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/retrofitted-electric-double-decker-premiered/ Retrofitted electric double-decker premiered by David Cole 11th September 2014
[images http://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Green-branding-emphasises-the-converted-double-decker%E2%80%99s-new-credentials-as-it-poses-in-front-of-York%E2%80%99s-Clifford-Tower.jpg Retrofitted electric double-decker premiered - Green branding emphasises the converted double decker’s new credentials as it poses in front of York’s Clifford Tower http://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/The-formal-launch-outside-the-Minster-with-LtoR-Mandy-Gaughan-City-Sightseeing-Jim-Wallace-Transdev-Cllr-James-Alexander-Leader-of-City-of-York-Council-Jane-Lady-Gibson-Chairman-of-Visit-York-and-Marcus-Jenkins-Magtec-1024x681.jpg The formal launch outside the Minster with (LtoR) Mandy Gaughan (City Sightseeing), Jim Wallace (Transdev), Cllr James Alexander (Leader of City of York Council), Jane Lady Gibson (Chairman of Visit York) and Marcus Jenkins (Magtec) http://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Parked-in-front-of-York-Minster-surrounded-by-mature-trees-a-band-is-fixed-across-the-doorway-for-the-official-ribbon-cutting-ceremony-682x1024.jpg Parked in front of York Minster surrounded by mature trees, a band is fixed across the doorway for the official ribbon cutting ceremony http://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/The-green-branding-is-the-only-obvious-external-sign-of-the-vehicle%E2%80%99s-retrofit-1024x682.jpg The green branding is the only obvious external sign of the vehicle’s retrofit http://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Magtec-have-added-an-additional-display-to-the-vehicle%E2%80%99s-dash-to-show-the-power-supply-status.jpg Magtec have added an additional display to the vehicle’s dash to show the power supply status http://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/The-new-Magtec-electric-drive-train-with-two-battery-packs-easily-fits-within-the-space-vacated-by-the-diesel-engine-transmission-and-cooling-system.jpg Magtec - The new Magtec electric drive train with two battery packs easily fits within the space vacated by the diesel engine, transmission and cooling system http://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Viewed-from-the-city-wall-an-impression-can-be-gained-of-York%E2%80%99s-significant-historic-infrastructure-which-the-conversion-of-sightseeing-buses-to-electric-propulsion-will-help-preserve-1024x1024.jpg Viewed from the city wall, an impression can be gained of York’s significant historic infrastructure which the conversion of sightseeing buses to electric propulsion will help preserve ] Sightseeing bus launched in York Sightseeing buses were once the cinderallas of the fleet, old double-deckers shorn of their roof parading slowly around historic cities and seafonts for perhaps a few months of the year. With increasing popularity and longer seasons, operators realised that easier access and lower emissions were essential to sustainability resulting in significant numbers of new build and converted late model low floor open top vehicles entering service in the past ten years. Now the City of York has taken a step further, launching what is claimed to be the world’s first retrofitted all electric double deck sightseeing bus. The partners The realisation of the York vehicle follows an award to the City of York Council valued at £75,433 from the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Clean Bus Technology Fund. The significance of the completion of this first conversion has been recognised by Minister of State for Transport, Baroness Kramer, ‘This is the first electric double decker bus conversion in the World. This sightseeing bus will not only showcase York’s many attractions, but also the huge benefits that low carbon vehicles can bring to our cities. The UK is leading the electric charge when it comes to plug-in transport. I am delighted to see York sharing our vision, fully supporting an industry which is also a driver for economic growth, while bringing important environmental benefits such as an improved air quality.’ York’s partners in the project are City Sightseeing, the vehicle’s operator Transdev and Sheffield based Magtec who have carried out the conversion. Representatives from the partners joined press, public and city organisations for a formal launch outside York Minster last week, the location emphasising the city’s heritage buildings which the council and residents alike wish to shield from the impact of pollution. Under the extensive tree growth that now surrounds the Minster and will also benefit from improved air quality, a ribbon was strung across the vehicle’s doorway and formally cut by the stakeholders but the speeches were reserved for the press release! Cllr David Levene, Cabinet Member of Transport at City of York Council, said: ‘York is again leading the way in improving air quality and bus travel. We’re the first city in the world to launch the new electric double decker City Sightseeing bus as a result of being the first city in the UK to adopt a Low Emission Strategy. This will all feed into our draft Air Quality Action plan, which is set to go out to consultation soon and will provide residents and tourists with a better use of transport and improved air quality, which is an important issue in York.’ Transdev’s Richard Jackson added, ‘we are delighted that we will be the first operator in the UK to benefit from this opportunity and have the world’s first double decker bus electric makeover!’ Following the formal launch, guests were taken on a tour of the city with a City Sightseeing guide, the vehicle being driven by Magtec’s driver with a Transdev navigator. With no engine noise to overcome, it was easy to hear the guide’s PA system as he regaled his audience with stories of famous residents from York’s past, many of whom appeared to be quite shady characters! Travelling on the top deck of the vehicle was a different experience with the lack of vibration when stationary at stops or traffic lights particularly noticable. There was some noise from the air compressor although this was not intrusive and was quieter than many, a Magtec representative commenting the noise from this was more noticeable with the lack of diesel engine and they were tuning this down in the next week. The vehicle York’s electric double decker is based on a 1999 East Lancashire Coachbuilders bodied Dennis Trident from the Transdev York fleet. The vehicle started life with two doorways on TfL services in London operated by Metrobus. In 2006, it passed with two similar vehicles to York based Top Line Travel where it was converted to partial open top and single doorway for the City Sightseeing operation. Top Line Travel became part of Transdev Blazefield in 2008. Now finished in City Sightseeing’s red livery with green lower panels promoting its electric propulsion, it had spent some of its York life in a black ‘Terrible Tales’ livery recalling the seedier side of York’s history as referred to by the guide during the launch programme. Without the external branding, the retrofitted vehicle would be visually almost indistinguishable from its previous guise. Magtec have worked on the principle of retaining as much as possible of the vehicle structure and control systems. Magtec Chairman, Marcus Jenkins, talked of removing some 2.1 tonnes of metal within the engine compartment and its replacement by the self contained pallet mounted battery, control system and motor pack, giving an overall reduction in vehicle weight of 200kg and thus no impact on its passenger capacity. He added that the weight reduction and the empty space available from the redundant fuel tank provided the opportunity for range extender technology to be fitted that would double the useable range. The Lithium Iron Phosphate battery pack with a design capacity of 133kWh is in two modules with separate controllers, thus minimising the likelihood of the vehicle being stranded in the unlikely event of a battery pack or control system failure. The batteries power a 150kW electric motor that delivers 3,000Nm torque allowing the vehicle to be successfully tested on Sheffield’s Jenkin Road, the long 1 in 5 gradient featured in this year’s Tour de France. Charging takes place overnight at Transdev’s York depot where facilities were already installed for the electric vehicle used on a university campus service. Fully charging the bus is expected to take eight hours overnight when off-peak low carbon generated electricity is available. The battery packs are designed for many thousand charging cycles without memory effect. In tests the vehicle has performed above the expected 0.67 miles per kWh giving a maximum theoretical range of over 90 miles between charges. The practical maximum daily range has been set at 76 miles which is comfortably above the 55-65 mile duty cycles of the York City Sightseeing vehicles. In service, the vehicle is expected to save 33tonnes of CO2 and 535kg of NOx per year at point of use in addition to a fuel cost saving. A new electrically driven compressor has been installed but where possible the retention of on board systems has minimised the variations to be notified when re-licensing the vehicle. The existing braking system is retained with the addition of active and passive regeneration that will reduce energy consumption as well as brake pad wear and its associated fine particle emissions. Passive regeneration occurs when the power pedal is released, simulating transmission drag effects. Active regeneration comes on in stages as the brake pedal is depressed with the normal braking system bringing the vehicle to a stand. Existing instrumentation is retained with an additional display for battery status added to the left of the main instrument panel. Following the launch and tour of the city, the vehicle was to return to Sheffield for Magtec to finalise with the intention of it entering service in York from the middle of September. Transdev The City Sightseeing York tour is operated by Transdev from its depot at Fulford Road to the south of the city. Five vehicles are currently allocated to the tour including two more low floor Tridents similar to the one converted to electric operation and two high capacity step entrance Olympians originating with Lothian Transport. The service runs throughout the year with guides employed for the summer period and multi-lingual commentary available on some vehicles. Following the successful introduction of the first vehicle, Transdev Finance and Commercial Director, Jim Wallace, advised they were likely to look at ways of funding the conversion of further vehicles, which would also require the replacement of the Olympians with accessible vehicles. It was intended to use the first partial open top electric vehicle throughout the year for which driver’s cab heating will be installed, consideration is also being given to refresh the vehicle’s interior and seating. Jim said Transdev’s initial experience with electric vehicles had been positive with one in service at Harrogate in addition to the Campus Shuttle vehicle in York. The company had put resources into training drivers on the optimum use of the vehicles with the result that two of the Campus Shuttle drivers were now achieving 100 miles on a single charge. With a total allocation of around 25 vehicles, the York depot also operates diesel vehicles on the high frequency cross city Unibus service in partnership with York University and on local services to the west and north of the city. In addition to the retrofitted double decker, Magtec are providing the electric drive train systems for all the Optare EVs currently entering service in York. Founded in 1992, the company designs and builds electric drive systems for a wide range of vehicles including sports and military applications at its facilities in Sheffield. The company’s first production hybrid electric drive systems for buses were supplied to the USA in 1999. In the UK, Magtec electric drive systems have also been installed in the Optare EVs recently supplied for service in Nottingham, Stranraer and Hounslow, London. The company claims the lighter weight and high efficiency of it systems enable a proportionately greater range compared with its competitors and, according to Company Chairman Marcus Jenkins, makes vehicles fitted with them a commercial possibility, ‘Magtec’s ability to retrofit this type of bus with our electric drive train systems opens up a world of opportunity for similar local authorities and operators to upgrade their existing vehicle fleets. This is the first retrofit system for buses that provide the benefits of zero emission in operation that also demonstrates commercial sense for the vehicle operator.’ City of York Adding to the Clean Bus Technology Award for the open top bus, City of York Council was also successful in its bid for a total of £1,388,000 in 2013 through DfT’s Green Bus Funding. This is being used to finance the 15 full electric vehicles that are currently entering service in the city. Already in service are six Optare Versa EVs operated by First on the service to the new Park and Ride at Poppleton Bar and the Optare Solo EV operated by Transdev on the University Campus shuttle. These will be joined during September by six further Versa EVs for the Monks Cross Park and Ride, one of the other five Park and Ride services which provide facilities on each major route approaching the city. The final two vehicles, more Solo EVs, have been built but the timescale for their introduction to service will depend on the occupancy of the new Derwenthorpe development on the Rowntree Estate which it is intended to serve. Derek McCreadie, Low Emissions Officer at City of York Council sees the 16 vehicles as the start of a drive to full electrification of local bus services. The city adopted a Low Emission Strategy, the first in the UK, in 2012. The aim is for 80% of bus movements to be fully electric by 2018. York’s electrification programme also extends to other passenger vehicles with the first all electric taxi in service alongside 17 hybrid taxis. All the electric vehicles from York’s current programme are ‘plug-in’ with recharging facilities at depots and Park and Ride sites. Recharging facilities for private vehicles are also provided with over 40 charging bays in York. In addition to funding for the electric vehicle programme, City of York Council has received £23,400 from the Clean Bus Technology Fund to retrofit two vehicles from the Reliance Buses fleet which operate into York, with SCRT exhaust treatment technology to reduce NOx and particle emissions. Last Word York. like many historic cities, has a fine heritage and a high density of pedestrians in the city centre, all of whom will benefit from the emission reductions that the introduction of electric vehicles will bring. Sightseeing buses are often slow moving older vehicles with long periods spent idling so if their conversion proves commercially viable following this initial funded example, a significant impact can be made on air quality. [© AT Graphics] http://www.yorkmix.com/life/transport-life/worlds-first-electric-double-decker-bus-launched-in-york/ World’s first electric double decker bus launched in York 03-09-2014 [images http://www.yorkmix.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/electric-tourbus-1.jpg electric-tourbus http://www.yorkmix.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/electric-tourbus-3.jpg The battery powered engine video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K21jssVKlWg James Alexander and Dave Merrett Launching UK's First Electric Tour Bus 03.09.14 yorklabour Sep 4, 2014 James Alexander and Dave Merrett Launching UK's First Electric Tour Bus 03.09.14 ] Council leader James Alexander gets ready to cut the ribbon of the trailblazing bus It doesn’t rumble or roar. It doesn’t cough out diesel fumes. It doesn’t shake passengers until their teeth rattle. But yes, this is a York tourist bus. Facts and figures 15 years – the age of the converted bus £75,433 – the cost of converting the bus to electric £20,000 – the reduction in yearly operating costs 33 tons – the amount of CO2 emissions eliminated by using the electric bus 535 kg – the amount of nitrous oxide emissions eliminated 2.1 tons – the weight of the diesel engine removed 1.9 tons – the weight of the battery packs and electric motors added 8 hours – how long it takes to charge the battery 90 miles – how far a fully charged bus can go (practical range: 76 miles) Smooth, quiet, green and clean, the world’s first fully electric double decker bus made its debut outside York Minster on Wednesday (September 3). One of the first passengers was city council leader Cllr James Alexander, who took the short journey from West Offices to Duncombe Place. “It’s very quiet, it’s very clean,” he said of the experience. “I have no doubt that the many tourists will be glad they will be able to hear the tour guide more clearly and have a better experience in York.” The City Sightseeing bus, operated by Transdev, is the first double decker to be converted from diesel to pure electric. It uses lithium ion batteries, similar to those in mobile phones. But quite a few more, and a fair bit more powerful… The bus is charged for eight hours overnight and then has a practical range of 76 miles a day – exceeding the 65 miles undertaken each day by a City Sightseeing bus. From electric dreams to reality City of York Council successfully bid for funding from the Department of Transport to undertake the conversion. Sheffield based Magtec retro-fitted the bus with electric drive train systems. The sightseeing double decker bus is only the latest electric bus to hit York’s streets. A fleet already operate from the Poppleton park and ride site which opened this summer. Electric buses will also soon run from the Monks Cross P&R site. What they said - This is the first electric double decker bus conversion in the world. This sightseeing bus will not only showcase York’s many attractions, but also the huge benefits that low carbon vehicles can bring to our cities Baroness Kramer, transport minister - We’re the first city in the world to launch the new electric double decker City Sightseeing bus as a result of being the first city in the UK to adopt a low emission strategy. Cllr David Levene, transport, City of York Council - Thousands of tourists and residents travel on our popular City Sightseeing buses every year so it’s fantastic news that through this funding we’ll be able to offer an even better travelling experience, whilst at the same time helping to improve air quality in York by converting to an electric bus. Richard Jackson at Transdev - This is the first retrofit system for buses that provide the benefits of zero emission in operation that also makes commercial sense for the vehicle operator. Marcus Jenkins of Magtec - This is good news for York and we’re confident this will prove popular with many of the city’s seven million visitors Jane Lady Gibson, chairman of Visit York [© yorkmix.com] http://stevegalloway.mycouncillor.org.uk/2014/09/03/the-worlds-first-electric-retrofitted-double-decker-sight-seeing-bus-launches-in-york/ The world’s first electric retrofitted double decker sight seeing bus launches in York! by Steve Galloway September 3, 2014 [image http://stevegalloway.mycouncillor.org.uk/files/2014/09/City_Sightseeing_bus.jpg Electric bus ] One of York’s renowned City Sightseeing buses has become the first double-decker bus in the world to get an electric makeover, thanks to a government grant. The City Sightseeing bus, operated by Transdev, will be in operation from September after becoming the first double decker to be converted from diesel to pure electric with lithium ion batteries, similar to those used by mobile phones. The company got £75,433 in October 2013 to convert the 15-year old City Sightseeing bus to fully electric drive, after successfully bidding for the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Clean Bus Technology Fund. The bus will travel all day without needing to charge. Baroness Kramer (LibDem Transport Minister) said: “This is the first electric double decker bus conversion in the World. This Sightseeing bus will not only showcase York’s many attractions, but also the huge benefits that low carbon vehicles can bring to our cities. “The UK is leading the electric charge when it comes to plug-in transport. I am delighted to see York sharing our vision, fully supporting an industry which is also a driver for economic growth, while bringing important environmental benefits such as an improved air quality”. The electric retrofitted bus will eliminate the emission of 33 tons of CO2 and more than 535kg of poisonous NOx per year and will also reduce operating costs of the vehicle by more than £20k per year. Richard Jackson at Transdev, said “Thousands of tourists and residents travel on our popular City Sightseeing buses every year so it’s fantastic news that through this funding we’ll be able to offer an even better travelling experience, whilst at the same time helping to improve air quality in York by converting to an electric bus. “We’re also delighted that we’ll be the first operator in the UK to benefit from this opportunity and have the world’s very first double decker bus electric makeover!” The transformed bus, manufactured by Sheffield based Magtec will join fifteen new electric buses which will provide passenger journeys on the streets of York from September, following a successfully bid to the DfT for £1,388k in 2013, made available through the Green Bus Fund from DfT. Marcus Jenkins of Magtec, said: We are delighted to work with City of York Council and Transdev to get the world’s first retrofit electric double decker sight seeing bus into service. “The retrofit conversion from diesel to electric of the City Sightseeing bus will produce a cleaner, greener transport experience for visitors as they enjoy the sights of York. “Magtec’s ability to retrofit this type of bus with our electric drive train systems opens up a world of opportunity for similar local authorities and operators to upgrade their existing vehicle fleets. This is the first retrofit system for buses that provide the benefits of zero emission in operation that also makes commercial sense for the vehicle operator.” This also forms part of City of York Council’s Low Emission Strategy (the first strategy to be adopted in the UK in 2012) which aims to enable the uptake of low emission vehicles and reduce emissions of air quality pollutants and greenhouse gases. Thousands of people use the City Sightseeing buses every year, including residents and tourists, which supports York as one of the UK’s top visitor destinations. For more information on bus travel in York visit http://www.itravelyork.info/ [© stevegalloway.mycouncillor.org.uk] ... http://www.airqualitynews.com/2014/09/05/york-in-first-with-bus-converted-to-electric-power/ York in first with bus converted to electric power September 5, 2014 ... http://www.itravelyork.info/news/the-worlds-first-electric-retrofitted-double-decker-sight-seeing-bus-launch The world’s first electric retrofitted double decker sight seeing bus launches in York! 3rd September 2014 For EVLN posts use: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/template/NamlServlet.jtp?macro=user_nodes&user=204476 http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/template/NamlServlet.jtp?macro=search_page&node=413529&query=evln&sort=date http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/santacruz/ci_26555880/future-shock-concept-car-comes-santa-cruz Dutch solar EV comes to NDEW Santa Cruz CA @Capitola Mall 12-4p 9/21 http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/807/14304/Motorcycle-Article/Zero-Supports-National-Plug-In-Day.aspx Zero Motorcycles Supports National Plug-In Day http://www.virtual-strategy.com/2014/09/10/toshiba-provide-rapid-recharge-scib™-batteries-proterra-zero-emission-bus-fleet Toshiba Rapid Recharge SCiB Batteries for Proterra e-Bus Fleet http://www.sys-con.com/node/3182160 Polaris Titanium Oxide Limited Edition eBikes http://www.ctvnews.ca/autos/researchers-develop-portable-inductiver-charger-for-e-cars-1.1995297 Portable inductive EVSE developed + EVLN: Sparky, the Leaf e-UTE is a hoot! (video) {brucedp.150m.com} -- View this message in context: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/EVLN-75k-York-uk-1st-converted-double-decker-sightseeing-ebus-video-tp4671658.html Sent from the Electric Vehicle Discussion List mailing list archive at Nabble.com. _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
