Tindo Solar Bus The Adelaide City Council has raised the standard in International sustainability with the introduction of the world’s first solar-powered electric bus. It’s the first electric solar bus is recharged using 100% solar energy, and is a free everyday service for the people of Adelaide through the Council’s Adelaide Connector Bus service. Manufactured by New Zealand company Designline International, the bus doesn’t have a combustion engine, which makes it a very quiet, zero emissions vehicle. It features high quality, state-of-the-art components sourced from some of the world’s leading transport and technology companies including MAN and Siemens. And in a further ‘green’ development being introduced by the Adelaide City Council, the bus will be recharged using a solar photovoltaic system supplied by BP Solar and installed at the soon-to-be-completed Adelaide Central Bus Station. This system is the largest grid connected solar photovoltaic system in the State, and means the bus is also carbon neutral. The air-conditioned solar electric bus can carry up to 42 passengers, with 25 standard seats, two seats especially designed for disabled passengers, and room for 15 standing passengers. The solar electric bus and the recharging system at the Adelaide Central Bus Station represent a significant investment by the Adelaide City Council into a sustainable future for the City of Adelaide, while providing leadership in sustainable public transport options for cities around Australia. Lifed from http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/scripts/nc.dll?ADCC:STANDARD::pc=PC_151048
That is sweet! But why did they make it look like a Caterpillar? lol Maybe they are taking cues from Melbourne and working on their public tranportation sector? I.E. they realize that building more roads does not make the pollution and traffic congestion problem better.
I work for the Department for Transport (but I didn't know about this bus) and they are building more and better roads. They have also extended the single electric tram line in Adelaide which runs from Glenelg to Adelaide's centre, the line now runs to the railway station right through the middle of Adelaide. Our trains are all diesel but there has been talk of electrification. Most of the road improvements are aimed at smoothing traffic flows to reduce emissions and commute times. Also all new roads have dedicated bicycle lanes and some have bus lanes during peak hours. This electric bus will be used within city of Adelaide and North Adelaide only. The bus depot where it will recharge is the only place a route service bus will be garaged within the city. Most buses are housed in Mile End which is outside of the city or further afield than that.
Other bus makers make successful hybrid and electric buses. The local bus manufacturer just down the road from me does and they're proving successful. York switched on to electric buses (From York Press) Greener taxis for York’s streets (From York Press) If the will is there......
Most likely poorly managed. The CEO was a former politician. If you think about it Politicians have a horrible record running a enterprise for a profit. The USA federal and almost every state and many cities GOV spend more than they make.
