Eco-bus to cut emissions in Dublin

The first ever eco-bus to hit Dublin’s streets is expected to dramatically cut emissions and noise during its three-year trial period.

The hybrid-electric vehicle, which will be dual powered by an electric motor as well as its combustion engine, will burn 34% less fuel.

Dublin Bus said the level of carbon dioxide emissions released into the atmosphere will be reduced by 31%, carbon monoxide by 97.6%, hydrocarbons by 76.5% and nitrous oxides by 12%.

The double-decker, which is wheelchair accessible, is supplied by Co Antrim-based bus manufacturer, The Wright Group.

The three-year pilot project is funded in part by the Government’s Transport 21 investment programme and is part of Dublin Bus’s commitment to investing in and developing greener business practices.

The bus will also be 50% less noisy than traditional bus engines.

Other features include regenerative braking, which uses the energy dissipated during braking to charge its battery.

“The contribution of fuel emissions on global warming is a concern to Dublin Bus, said spokeswoman Cliodhna Ní Fhatharta.

“So the company is committed to reducing its emissions through continuing to keep pace with new technological developments in the area of transport.

“Through adopting such practices like the hybrid electric bus trial, the company aims to achieve significant results”.

The hybrid-electric bus will be used by Dublin Bus to evaluate the effectiveness of such vehicles and will be monitored for performance, driveability, availability, reliability, maintenance requirements, fuel consumption, emissions and customer perception.

Dublin Bus claims that a bus produces less than half the CO2 emissions per passenger per kilometre when compared with a car.

“Through sustained research and development, Dublin Bus aims to make this difference even greater and ensure that the bus becomes the greenest, most effective transport method in the Greater Dublin Area,” Ms Ní Fhatharta added.