Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation has announced that its innovative electric hybrid power system is expanding into the European city bus market with its debut on the Solaris Urbino 12 Hybrid bus at the 20th annual Busworld in Kortrijk, Belgium. The Eaton hybrid power system, which has accumulated more than 32 million kilometers in road-tested service around the world, provides improvements in fuel consumption and significantly reduces emissions and noise while maintaining performance and functionality.
“Solaris is an innovative leader in the European bus market and is making important progress in reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions,” said Yannis Tsavalas, president – Eaton Europe, Middle East and Africa region. “Hybrid-powered buses have the potential to impact environmental sustainability in a very big way. We’ve seen many positive results from customers in North America and Asia, and we hope that today’s debut will lead to greater acceptance of hybrid technology throughout all of Europe.”
“Solaris Urbino 12 Hybrid will save fuel and reduce emissions in places where passenger numbers do not match the capacity of an articulated bus. For Solaris, protecting the environment does not depend on the size of bus. Solaris Urbino 12 Hybrid is a very attractive and economic choice for customers who do not want to go without hybrid technology in a standard-length bus,” said Solaris founder Krzysztof Olszewski.
Eaton is working with Solaris to specially design the system for buses with a length of up to twelve meters. The hybrid system combines a 6.7-litre Cummins diesel engine rated at 162 kilowatt (220 PS) with an electric motor that has a peak power output of 44 kilowatt. Eaton matches the system to an automated six-speed Eaton transmission and stores energy in four lithium-ion batteries that are mounted under the seats.
Additionally, the Solaris Urbino 12 Hybrid includes new start-stop technology that automatically switches off the diesel engine when the bus is stationary and turns it back on when power is needed. This system dramatically reduces emissions, especially at bus stops.
Solaris Bus & Coach is a leading European bus manufacturer, producing a wide range of modern city and intercity buses, trolleybuses and buses for special applications. Solaris Bus & Coach is a family-owned and family-run enterprise. Since the start of production in 1996, more than 5,000 buses have been built. In 2008, Solaris Bus & Coach sold more than 1,000 buses for operation in 20 countries at a turnover of 300 million EUR. Solaris Bus & Coach employs 1,600 people
