New McHarry’s Scania Diesel / Electric Hybrid Buses Provide a win on every count
In conjunction with the Dept of Transport (DoT) and Scania, McHarry’s Buslines is now operating 6 Scania diesel / electric hybrid buses on the Geelong network.
The new hybrid vehicles provide wins all round with
- Lower emissions,
- Less noise during operation (particularly during stopping and take off),
- Reduced fuel consumption.
The vehicles are currently achieving a reduction in diesel fuel consumption of approximately 25 per cent and a significant reductions in emissions, with each vehicle saving approximately 5 tonnes of CO2 per month. Or in annual terms, a reduction of 360 tonnes of CO2 per year across these 6 vehicles.
From a customer’s perspective, the ride and comfort is almost identical to conventional vehicles, except that there will often be a reduction or lack of diesel engine noise.
In typical operation, the buses run on battery power when approaching a stop or when pulling away. These hybrid buses can travel on battery power alone up to 4km and at speeds of up to 45km/h on flat ground before the combustion engine restarts to recharge the batteries.
The system automatically and independently maximises electric motor operation, as well as battery charging, and recovers braking energy to help charge the batteries.
As a fourth-generation business approaching 100 years old, McHarry’s believes operations that support a sustainable community is important. The deployment of hybrid vehicles adds to existing measures supporting sustainable environmental practices –
- Rainwater harvested from rooftops is used in the washing of buses; this saves more than half a million litres of town water every year.
- 375 rooftop solar panels collect sunlight throughout the year. This renewable source of electricity supplies a third of our total electricity requirements.
- Use of skylights and LED lighting throughout our facilities assist with reducing the carbon footprint.
