It’s not just cars that are turning green – now buses are receiving the hybrid touch thanks to an engine development and engineering services provider based in Brentwood, Essex.
Roush Technologies is supporting Northern Ireland based Wrightbus on a hybrid optimisation programme. The project will see series hybrid drive systems optimised through a detailed analysis of generator load patterns. The company’s engineers have been able to recalibrate the engine so that it performs at a peak level throughout the drive cycle, thanks largely to smart charging and load control technology.
The bus uses a 2.4litre diesel engine – the likes of which you’d expect to find in a Ford Transit. However, the overall engine performance is said to be significantly improved and Roush engineers have been able to predict load and speed changes in advance, which allows greater freedom with exhaust gas recirculation rates and injection strategies.
Roush’s technical director of product development Paul Turner said: “Having the engine control as a fully integrated part of the hybrid system – and coupled with a unique calibration, has enabled us to achieve exceptional improvements in fuel consumption. During back-to-back route trials in London, these fuel savings have been in excess of 30%.
“The application works extremely well and demonstrates the real potential for hybrid systems… but we do get a few raised eyebrows when people realise that we are running a full size double-decker bus with a 2.4litre engine from a light van.”
