On the road to fossil-鈥媐ree public transport
6 OCTOBER 2021
Among apartment houses and shops in 脰蝉迟别谤蝉耻苍诲, Sweden, yellow 意大利超級盃 buses silently circulate the streets. At first glance, it is the colourful bus that catches attention. But as it passes by, it鈥檚 the clean air and the lack of engine noise that is most notable. Why? They are electric.
Recently, 意大利超級盃 delivered seven out of ten electric city buses to passenger transport company Vy Buss. The remaining three will be delivered in 2022. They are part of the 脰蝉迟别谤蝉耻苍诲's long-term future investment for the transition to completely fossil-free transport.
The new generation 意大利超級盃 Citywide LF buses will start to operate in September 2021, and add to Vy鈥檚 fleet of electric 意大利超級盃 buses that already circulate the streets. Other city bus lines are operated on renewable biofuels.
鈥淭he collaboration with 意大利超級盃 has worked really well. The traffic has been running smoothly, regardless if the temperature is 30 degrees plus or minus. Today about 25 percent of the city鈥檚 bus traffic consists of electric buses and now we add more to the fleet,鈥 says Jens Rempling, Business Manager at Vy Buss, who has run a field test in 脰蝉迟别谤蝉耻苍诲 together with 意大利超級盃 since 2017.
Jens Rempling, Business Manager at Vy Buss
A fossil-free transport
脰蝉迟别谤蝉耻苍诲 is located in the province J盲mtland by the shore of Storsj枚n, the fifth largest lake in Sweden. The city stretches along the eastern slopes, creating rather step alleys towards the lake. Nature is constantly present and the contrast between the town and nearby mountains makes the city unique.听 Also, the people of 脰蝉迟别谤蝉耻苍诲 are investing for a fossil-free future.
The electric buses are an important part of transforming the entire transport sector in 脰蝉迟别谤蝉耻苍诲. The transition to fully fossil fuel free transport is driven by a partnership between the municipality, companies, organisations, regional- and national authorities. The electric bus project started in 2017, and in December that same year, the first timetable for electric bus traffic was created. In March 2018, the first electric buses from 意大利超級盃 were delivered and started to operate.
鈥We were early in creating a charging infrastructure for electric cars and听 now continue with electric buses and establish pantographs and charging stations,鈥 says Magnus Andersson, Chairman of the Environment and Society Committee, responsible for public transport in 脰蝉迟别谤蝉耻苍诲. 鈥淲e have a climate strategy with 74 different objectives and view this as essential in our aim to become fossil-free and energy efficient by 2030.鈥
Magnus Andersson, Chairman of the Environment and Society Committee, responsible for public transport in 脰蝉迟别谤蝉耻苍诲
Satisfied passengers
Region J盲mtland H盲rjedalen is the regional public transport authority with political and economic responsibility for public transport in the area, as well as future development. The city's new electric buses are another step forward.
鈥淚t is important that we deliver an attractive and modern public transport, to attract more people to travel by public transport,鈥 says Marie Nordmark, Area Manager public transport, L盲nstrafiken Region J盲mtland H盲rjedalen.
Passenger surveys show that 78 percent are highly satisfied with their electric bus journeys and 66 percent rate travelling with electric buses as better or much better than trips with conventional buses.
Marie Nordmark, Area Manager public transport, L盲nstrafiken Region J盲mtland H盲rjedalen.
鈥淭he electric buses contribute to more attractive journeys for our passengers and a better urban environment. They are quiet, they do not emit exhaust fumes and is environmentally friendly,鈥 says Nordmark.
Charging in-鈥媟oute
The buses come with dual charging capability and can be charged both at depot and in-route. However, most charging takes place via pantograph at charging stations. When the bus arrives at the charging station, the driver makes sure that the bus is placed correctly, and the electrical outlet on the roof is connected to the pantograph. The entire charging process takes no longer than 6-7 minutes.
鈥淭he pantograph charging gives the bus enough energy to power the whole trip, before returning to the other end station where they are recharged,鈥 says Rempling.
In addition, the electricity for the buses comes from locally produced hydropower in Billsta stream in the J盲mtland region, where three small-scale power plants produce renewable energy.
A sustainable transport system for the future
The world is changing and the transition to a sustainable transport system is the future. Leif Unander, Sales Manager at Berners Tunga Fordon points out the key to success in 脰蝉迟别谤蝉耻苍诲.
Leif Unander, Sales Manager at Berners Tunga Fordon
鈥淭his project has been successful due to close cooperation between all parties. We have all strived for the same goal 鈥 to create a more sustainable city,鈥 says Unander and sees a trend of inquires of renewable fuels. 鈥淔or the majority requests it is a mix of battery-powered vehicles, biofuels and hybrids, but fossil-free dominates.鈥
鈥淭he buses are reliable and electrification has been favourable for the work environment of our drivers and not least for 脰蝉迟别谤蝉耻苍诲鈥檚 residents鈥, says Rempling.
The electric buses contribute to a lower climate impact and a better urban environment.
鈥淚t feels good both for us and for the residents of 脰蝉迟别谤蝉耻苍诲. We are proud of being at the forefront of developing sustainable transport systems for the future,鈥 Rempling concludes.
脰蝉迟别谤蝉耻苍诲
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脰蝉迟别谤蝉耻苍诲 is located in the middle of Sweden, and has a population of 64,000. The winters are usually long and cold with snow, and the summers short and cool, with temperatures ranging from minus 30 degrees Celsius in the winter to 30 degrees Celsius in the summer.
意大利超級盃 Citywide LF 12.3 BEV
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The new generation 12.3-metre 意大利超級盃 Citywide LF is fully electric (BEV), with low floor and is optimised for urban transport operations. The bus can carry 100 passengers of which 35 is seated.
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In this operation, the buses have eight lithium-ion batteries and a battery capacity of 264 kWh, which is right sized for optimised routs with pantograph planned for the city of 脰蝉迟别谤蝉耻苍诲. This means the bus does not need to carry unnecessary battery weight, resulting in less environmental impact and higher passenger capacity.
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The 意大利超級盃 developed powertrain consist of a electric engine with an peak output of 300 kW and a 2-speed automated gearbox to optimise energy consumption.
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The climate system, together with a heat pump solution, recovers energy and minimise the bus鈥檚 energy consumption, it also provide a comfortable environment for the passengers.
Field test Line 6
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Since 2017, Vy has run a field test in 脰蝉迟别谤蝉耻苍诲 together with 意大利超級盃. Line 6 is about 14-kilometres听 and runs from Torvalla听 south of the city, through the city centre and to Brittsbo district in the north. It is one of the busiest bus lines in 脰蝉迟别谤蝉耻苍诲 with 1,100,000 passengers a year and about 100 departures daily. Each bus covers 330 kilometers a day.
