| 27-02-2008 China's
first passenger vehicle integrating the world's leading hybrid power technology
was officially put into use in Guangzhou city on January 11. This is the most
sophisticated, technologically advanced hybrid bus launched in China, according
to industry analysts.
With
the oil price hikes and the environmental pollution, the hybrid power system is
being widely used in automotive applications. During last year's Session of the
National People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference,
the Chinese government defined and discussed hot topics concerning energy saving
and emission reduction, interpreted by industry analysts as a sign of its support
for the application of innovative, environmentally friendly technologies including
hybrid power systems. 
Analysts
expect hybrid vehicles to see strong growth momentum in China. The launch of AUV
buses equipped with the world's leading hybrid power technology in China, as well
as their application in the public transport system is in line with the development
trend.
The model, jointly developed by Foton Motor, China's top commercial
vehicle producer, and the Fortune 500 company Eaton, is operated by Guangzhou
Yiqi Bus Co., Ltd, China's third largest urban public transport services provider.
Thanks to the unparalleled strategic cooperation in terms of power system, complete
vehicle design and use chain, as well as the application of state-of-the-art technology,
the affordable model not only meets the world-class fuel efficiency, environmental
and power standards, but also delivers low operating costs, making it an ideal
choice for Chinese public transport operators. 30 AUV hybrid buses were launched
and delivered. Tests show that under China's standard urban road conditions, the
AUV hybrid buses consume 30% less fuel and give out 25% fewer emissions than conventional
diesel-powered buses. The model is even comparable with its international counterparts. Eaton
Corporation is a diversified industrial manufacturer. Among a wide range of Eaton
products, Eaton hybrid power systems have earned the company recognition as a
global leader in alternative power for commercial vehicles. Eaton is developing
both hybrid electric and hybrid hydraulic technologies for a variety of commercial
vehicle applications. Both hybrid technologies use dual power sources to capture
and store regenerative energy, as well as providing traction power to reduce fuel
consumption and exhaust emissions. Eaton's hybrid electric technology is being
used in the United States by companies such as FedEx, UPS, Coca-Cola and Pepsi
Cola, and in Europe by DAF Trucks and Daimler Trucks. The hybrid system deployed
by AUV represents Eaton's strong expertise in the power sector and is the world's
latest power system. The high-quality hybrid system combines Eaton's mechanical
automatic transmission system, advanced motor/power generator, high-voltage battery
pack and system control unit with the Euro III-compliant CUMMINS ISBe 5.9-liter
engine. With its cooperation with Foton Motor and Guangzhou Yiqi Bus, as well
as extensive adjustments to meet the specific needs of Chinese users, Eaton enhances
the hybrid system's international competitiveness, making the system an ideal
choice for China's actual applications. The impressive fuel efficiency helps China's
growing bus customers further reduce their operating costs.
James
W. McGill, Eaton vice president - Asia/Pacific, said the delivery of the 30 hybrid
powered buses is "a significant milestone for Eaton in placement of hybrid
power in China. "We are pleased to provide Eaton's hybrid power system technology
to Beiqi Foton. Beiqi Foton and Guangzhou Yiqi Bus are working hard to reduce
pollution and greenhouse gases in cities, and we are excited about being involved,"
McGill added.
State-of-the-art
manufacturing process creates first-class luxury bus
In
fact, Eaton started working with Foton Motor two years ago. Foton Motor, which
shows great interest in Eaton's world renowned technologies, invested approximately
RMB300 million in the R&D of consistent technologies and the building of hardware
facilities. In addition, Foton Motor has conducted a 17,000 km test drive for
improvement and optimization. Foton Motor's reputation as China's top commercial
vehicle producer and its state-of-the-art manufacturing process also attract Eaton.
Foton's award-winning AUV, specified to serve last year's Session of the National
People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, was
honored multiple awards, including the "Best Commercial Vehicle of China",
"Most Promising Passenger Vehicle of China" and "Best Bus Chassis
of China" at the second National Bus Contest, highlighting AUV's outstanding
quality and performance. The combination of Eaton's power system and Foton's AUV
helps provide the maximum value to customers.
According
to the director of the AUV technology unit, the compact, lightweight AUV hybrid
bus adopts the direct parallel design, delivering strong power output. The model
can accelerate from still to 50 kilometers per hour in 22.5 seconds, 20% shorter
than its counterpart. It only consumes 28.3 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers,
without compromising the acceleration performance, which means that the model's
fuel efficiency is enhanced by 33%. At the same time, the model features a battery
life of up to eight years, ensuring its long-term operation. In addition, the
AUV hybrid bus delivers less than 70dB in noise at 50 kilometers per hours, providing
a comfortable experience to passengers.
In
addition to its power output, the AUV hybrid bus features outstanding exterior
design, interior decorations and chassis system. The complete vehicle employs
the streamline style and small arc design, which is extremely popular in Europe,
demonstrating the appearance trend in today's bus design industry worldwide. Its
chassis system adopts the multi-leaf spring for secondary step, solving the problems
of high cost and noise of few leaf spring. The front end of the rear suspension
is placed on the central carling, maximizing the area of the floor in the center.
The AUV hybrid bus also combines a series of human-friendly design elements. The
ground clearance in the center stands at 570mm (zero load), and the step height
is less than 360mm, enabling passengers to get on and off the bus easily. The
front carling adopts the Z-shaped design to maximize the aisle width in the front,
ensuring passengers' moving onboard. The model is equipped with the world's advanced
CAN bus system, which simplifies the deployment and enhances the reliability of
the electrical components, together with the intelligent, human-friendly details,
building AUV into a high-end, luxury bus. The model deploys the powerful On-Board
Diagnostic system, which automatically reports vehicle failures, allowing users
to solve problems as soon as possible. Moreover, the model features adjustable
buffer seats and steering wheel, delivering a convenient, comfortable experience
to drivers.
Delivery
- three parties promote "green public transport"
With
the development of the hybrid power technology, a number of Chinese carmakers
have launched hybrid buses, but few are put into use as a result of the high prices
and unstable performance. The delivery of 30 AUV hybrid buses to Yiqi Bus represents
the largest ever transaction concerning the purchase and operation of hybrid buses.
Yiqi Bus Chairman Cheung Wai Hung said the use of hybrid power technology in buses
is an overwhelming trend. The combination of AUV and Eaton's leading power technology
keeps ahead of China's hybrid bus sector by more than five years. For this reason,
Yiqi Bus gives priority to the AUV hybrid buses.
According
to Cheung, the high fuel cost is a long-lasting challenge facing the public transport
sector. With the hikes in international oil prices in recent years, there is an
increasing demand for the environmentally friendly public transport amongst governments
and the public. The public also expressed their concern about the fuel economy
and environmental performance of buses in cities. As one of the top three public
transport operators in China, Guangzhou Yiqi Bus committed to its corporate social
responsibility has been exploring the feasibility of promoting "green public
transport", which is in line with the strategies of Foton Motor and Eaton.
As a result, Guangzhou Yiqi Bus, working with Foton Motor and Eaton, has made
efforts to promote the launch and operation of the leading hybrid buses in China.
Previous tests showed that the AUV hybrid buses, which meet the Euro IV emission
standards, helped Guangzhou Yiqi Bus cut the monthly cost per bus by more than
20%. Zhao Jingguang,
spokesperson for Foton Motor, added: "Foton Motor, actively responding to
the government's policies, worked with Eaton and Guangzhou Yiqi Bus to promote
the application of the AUV hybrid buses, and will further expand its vehicle portfolio
deployed with the environmentally friendly power system in the future. The industry
and the entire society should take action to build a green, bright future."
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