If all goes well, Bangaloreans will soon be travelling in ‘diesel hybrid’ vehicles.
The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is planning to introduce ‘diesel hybrid’ vehicles for public transport on a pilot basis in the City by mid-2012.
It will be the first Corporation in the country to do so. Approved by its board and cleared by the State Transport Ministry, the BMTC will place orders for two such vehicles with Ashok Leyland before the year-end.
The Corporation had previously planned to procure electric battery operated buses. However, the diesel hybrid vehicles are more sustainable and a smarter alternative.
Fully electrically charged buses pose various problems in terms of mileage and technicalities.
“We did go through other hybrid options, but diesel hybrid promised to be a safer one to conduct a pilot test. Also, the suspended particulate matter (SPM) will be nil in this hybrid engine,” said S K Paramesh, Director Technical, BMTC.
The diesel hybrid engine will convert the fuel energy into electrical energy, which will be stored in a battery, eventually used for driving the motor.
K Srinivas, BMTC MD, hopes that the expenses on diesel will come down drastically for the Corporation.
“The initial investment will be high since these vehicles are unique and are not commonly manufactured. The BMTC is the first to buy them. Also, we need to study how they perform in terms of reduced fuel consumption and emissions,” he said.
Each air conditioned (Bharat Stage IV- BS4) compliant bus will cost Rs one crore in addition to tax, making them the Corporation’s costliest purchase, after the Volvos.
Details of fare charges on the buses are yet to be finalised. However, they are likely to be same as Volvo bus ticket rates. The BMTC has selected two depots with most BS1 buses to convert them into biofuel hybrid vehicles.
Two depots selected
Depots 22 and 33 have been chosen for the same with 40 buses set to undergo the ‘fuel change surgery’ on their engines. Depot 33 will be the first to have its fleet of old buses converted in the next few weeks.
Features
* Each bus to cost Rs one crore
* The engine will convert fuel energy into electrical energy
* Fare charges are yet to be finalised