NGV Global. Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) and Gas Natural Fenosa are trialing a new hybrid bus prototype with electric and natural gas engines, a pilot scheme under an agreement signed last April between TMB and Gas Natural Fenosa to reduce emissions from buses, with the aim of improving air quality in Barcelona and the metropolitan area.
The prototype is to be incorporated provisionally into the TMB fleet and Gas Natural Fenosa will study the benefits in terms of reducing energy consumption and emissions and thus its viability for future use. Gas Natural Fenosa estimates that hybrid technology will enable a 20% to 30% reduction in energy consumption and emissions, compared to a non-hybrid bus of similar characteristics.
Under the same agreement, the companies recently presented 31 new Iveco CNG-propelled buses, with which TMB began the renewal of the fleet planned for 2011. By the end of the year 35% of the fleet will run on CNG, which is less polluting than diesel. The new Citelis model vehicles feature mechanical parts by Irisbus Iveco and bodies by Castrosua and Tata Hispano.