Eco Factor: Zero-emission buses powered by all-electric engine.
Ending the use of fossil fuels for gas-guzzling buses, Optare has launched a new range of green, zero-emission buses that run on nothing other than clean electricity. Solo EV, as the new buses have been named, are smaller than the buses you usually see on the roads, but their small size helps them churn out more from their electric powerhouses.
The Solo EV features an Enova Systems P120 AC induction motor rated at 120KW, which is powered by two banks of Valence Lithium Ion Phosphate batteries. Both the packs work in parallel and provide a total of 307V and a capacity of 80KWh. The batteries enable the bus to speed up to 90Km/h, which is decent considering the buses have been made for city use.
The Dark Side:
Solo EV, though a zero-emission alternative to diesel buses, takes about 8 hours to recharge its batteries. With no details on the operating range of the bus, the recharge time could prove to be something Optare needs to work on.
Via: Treehugger
