New Delhi: The national capital today became
the first city in the country to introduce environment
friendly low-floor CNG-electric hybrid buses having almost
zero pollution level.
"It is a defining moment for all of us," Chief Minister
Sheila Dikshit said, flagging off the buses at a function.
She said the introduction of hybrid buses will go a long
way in the government's endeavour to overcome pollution in the
city.
Manufactured by auto major Tata Motors, the hybrid bus
offers substantial improvement in fuel economy compared to a
conventional vehicle.
Currently a fleet of four such buses, each costing Rs 1.5
crore, will be introduced in the Delhi Transport Corporation's
bus fleet.
A hybrid electric bus combines a conventional internal
combustion engine propulsion system with an electric
propulsion system.
As a result, the usage of CNG-electric technology leads to
lower emissions, thereby contributing to cleaner air and a
greener, more environment-friendly commercial passenger
transportation application, said a Tata Motors official.
Meant for intra-city transportation, the Hybrid Tata
Starbus is powered with a parallel hybrid engine comprising an
internal combustion CNG engine and an electric motor using
regenerative energy storage system, said a Tata Motors
official.
The low-floor air-conditioned bus can seat 32 passengers
and can also accommodate wheel chairs.
"The CNG-electric hybrid Tata Starbus is a result of Tata
Motors' advances in alternative fuel technologies, including
electric vehicles," said P M Telang, Managing Director of Tata
Motors' India Operations.
PTI
First Published: Friday, September 17, 2010, 21:54