Prague testing two hybrid buses to help reduce CO2 emissions

The city is exploring more options for reducing public transit’s reliance on fossil fuels. The Prague Public Transit Company (DPP) is currently testing two options for hybrid buses that combine diesel engines with electric power.

The Iveco Urbanway Hybrid 12 m High Value began a two month test on August 12 began. The bus has the registration number 4998 and passengers can ride it until October 10.

In its current configuration the Iveco Urbanway Hybrid can handle 86 passengers, with 30 seated and 56 standing.

The DPP at the same time is also testing the Solaris Urbino 12 Hybrid until the end of September. The testing of the bus with the registration number 4999 began July 22. It is configured for 102 passengers, with 24 seated and 78 standing.

The buses, both 12 meters long, use serial hybrid technology, which is unusual because they do not rely on conventional storage batteries.

The diesel engine powers the generator. The wheels are driven by an electric motor powered from the generator or from ultra-capacitors on the roof. This means that there is no mechanical coupling between the diesel engine and the wheels.

The ultra-capacitors are charged when the vehicle is braked or by the internal combustion engine. The fully electric mode has the combustion engine off and zero emissions. It operates when approaching and departing from a bus stop and traffic light.

“I want DPP to be a flagship among transport companies in the Czech Republic and to continue on the path to becoming a modern 21st century company that works with today’s state-of-the-art technologies. It is important to test and evaluate the results of hybrid buses in Prague’s streets,” Prague Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of DPP Adam Scheinherr said when the Solaris Urbino 12 Hybrid began testing.

“In addition, such systems have the following benefits: increasing passenger comfort, and reducing operating costs, emissions and noise pollution,” Prague Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of DPP Adam Scheinherr said when the Solaris Urbino 12 Hybrid began testing.

The hybrid bus tests are to confirm savings in diesel consumption and thus lower emissions. The technology for electricity storage varies from one manufacturer to another, and the real street conditions in Prague cannot be completely compared to other European cities.

DPP asked hybrid bus manufacturers for test vehicles they could try in real Prague traffic conditions before committing to purchasing them. Using hybrid buses is a temporary solution before the transition to fully emission-free vehicles. Purely alternative mass transit vehicles can’t be introduced until there is sufficient charging and filling infrastructure in Prague.

The diesel buses currently purchased by DPP meet the strictest Euro VI emission standard. Their emissions are similar to CNG vehicles. Buses with Euro V and Euro VI emission classes make up 76% of the DPP bus fleet, and the number is increasing due to ongoing renewal.

At the same time, DPP is working on projects for emission-free and low-emission vehicles to further reduce emissions from public transport, but also to meet upcoming European standards. The city is also exploring fully electric buses and trolleybuses, and preparing a hydrogen bus project.

DPP will test the Iveco bus together with the Solaris hybrid bus from the Hostivař garage on selected connections, in particular the following lines: