The Featured Bus for March/April 2018 is Bus 712 – a Volvo B5RLEH parallel hybrid bus
Bus 712 was a Volvo B5RLEH diesel-powered parallel hybrid bus, with Bustech “VST-H” body which operated for ACTION between August 2017 and early November 2018.
When a trial of three battery electric buses (from AVASS) planned for 2017 did not proceed, Transport Canberra sought tenders for the lease of “alternative energy” buses. This vehicle, built to Transport NSW specifications in 2015, was offered for lease by Volvo Buses.
The B5RLEH is powered by a 4.76 litre 4-cylinder Euro V diesel engine and also a 120kW electric motor. According to a report in The Canberra Times, during an evaluation period between August and December 2017, Bus 712 made 487 trips and used 3966 litres of diesel – compared with an unspecified control bus which used “about four times as much diesel”.
The alternative energy bus trial also included two plug-in battery electric buses: 710 and 711, which were BYD K9RA “Toro” buses.
From April 2019, this bus has found a new home at Port Stephens Coaches, Anna Bay NSW.
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This page was last updated on 18 February 2024
