50 more new-energy buses put into operation in Beijing

“Welcome to take Beijing new-energy buses,” a passenger reads aloud the characters on a No. 121 bus, adding that this is the first time this new type of bus has been seen. On June 25, the first batch of 50 gas-electric hybrid power new-energy buses were put into operation on bus lines No. 121 and No. 414. Traffic departments confirmed that additional 810 will be put into operation by the end of this year.

50 more new-energy buses put into operation in Beijing

Noise in the bus just 70 decibels

At 8:30am on June 25, the morning rush hour just ended. At No. 121 bus depot in Nanwu, instead of the former regular diesel buses, 25 brand new gas-electric hybrid buses left the depot following field inspection, running along the bus route from Fuchengmennei to Nanwu. Meanwhile, 25 new-energy buses were put into operation on No. 414 bus route from Wuluqiaodong to Liucun.

The new buses look almost the same as the old ones, however their energy-saving “secret” - a huge Li-ion power battery - is revealed when the right rear cover is opened. This new type of bus has two dynamic systems of oil and electricity. It uses electricity to start, while the other two means of power can supplement one another when the bus is running, said Meng Lingjun, leader of the No. 121 bus team. The new buses have a 20 percent lower fuel consumption per 100 km than conventional buses, and their interior noise decibel has also been significantly reduced, “the noise has been recorded as 70 decibels when the bus is moving.”

810 more buses will be put into operation by the end of this year

Mr Li, a driver from the No. 121 bus team, said that all 97 drivers of the No. 121 bus team have been trained to drive the new buses. Different from the old buses, the new buses have Chinese characters on their dashboards and a new function to display “hybrid power system service conditions” to indicate equipment conditions and fault type. “If the battery is under loaded, the ‘abnormal’ indicator will light up.”

Public transportation departments disclosed that the new-energy buses are produced by Foton Motor Group, and worth over I million yuan each.

Officials from traffic departments said that additional 810 hybrid buses will be put into operation by the end of this year.