Lyon, 25 November 2009
Irisbus is adding a hybrid series model to its Citelis city bus range, which is a leader in the European market.
Over the past 15 years, Irisbus Iveco has produced 120 hybrid buses; mainly for their EuroPolis and CityClass ranges, as well as several dozen battery and fuel cell vehicles. Over 600 trolleybuses are also in circulation under the names of Citelis (in several Central European countries), Cristalis and Civis (with Siemens optical guidance system) which are in service in France, Italy and Spain.
In the context of its new-generation hybrid buses, Irisbus Iveco has signed an agreement with BAE Systems for the supply of components for the power chain. With a fleet of over 3000 buses in North America and Europe, the two partners have significant experience of electric and hybrid tractions. In total, these vehicles transport over two million passengers daily; they have already covered close to 400 million service kilometres.
The skills and expertise developed by the two companies will enable them to offer a range of 12 and 18-meter hybrid buses developed from the Citelis range, equipped with an efficient and reliable hybrid power integrating a generator fed by a downsized Iveco Tector 6 EEV cylinder engine, and enabling the Stop & Start function. The electric traction engine, run on latest generation lithium-ion batteries, also enables energy recovery during breaking.
This system means that fuel consumption and CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions are reduced by up to 30%, as well as a 50% reduction in NOx (nitrogen oxide) emissions.
Irisbus Iveco is now in a position to meet European tenders for hybrid buses and to deliver at the end of 2010/ early 2011.