By Rob Wilson, IPWEA FLEET Manager
It seems that you can’t pick up a newspaper or fleet trade magazine these days without coming across an article on Electric Vehicles (EVs).
Yet for all the news and discussion, examples of practical applications are limited. Interestingly, buses have been in the news recently.
Sydney airport have moved to introduce electric buses to replace the existing diesel bus fleet. The first of six Electric Blu buses went into operation at the end of August with the remaining five to come on line before the end of 2016.
The Electric Blu bus is a Toro model created by Carbridge in a joint venture with electric bus manufacturer BYD. The bus has a carrying capacity of 70 passengers and is fitted with purpose-built luggage racks. With a range of 400km on a single charge, it is estimated the fleet will reduce carbon emissions by approximately 160 tonnes per year and improve local air quality through zero tailpipe emissions. The buses will run a shuttle between the T2/T3 terminal precinct and the Blu Emu Car Park.
Talking of airports, it was recently reported that Avass will be working out of 12,500 square meters of converted hanger space at Avalon airport Victoria to build electric passenger buses for local and regional markets under the AVA brand. The entry of a new manufacturer is a great news story for the local region which has recently suffered severe job losses with the exit of Ford, Alcoa and Qantas.
And for the petrol heads – sorry, electric heads – Tesla has released its new Model S. According to Tesla this electric rocket can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/hr in as little as 2.7 seconds. The Model S includes a range of performance and safety features including Autopilot capabilities, adaptive lighting and even 'bio-weapon defence mode' featuring medical grade air filtration to remove particulate pollution from nearby soot blowers and filter out allergens, bacteria and other contaminants from the cabin's air.