IVECO BUS announced the new articulated, biomethane compatible, URBANWAY Hybrid. The vehicle is also available in a Bus Rapid Transit system (BRT version) under the name CREALIS. This introduction is part of the manufacturer’s strategy to drive the energy transition with a mix of technologies, providing customers with a choice of solutions according to the requirements of their missions and operations. Deliveries of the new URBANWAY Hybrid in 18-meter versions will begin at the end of the year.
“At IVECO BUS, we believe that an energy mix is required to support the necessary energy transition. For this reason, we have chosen to combine natural gas with a high-performance and efficient hybrid technology on our URBANWAY and CREALIS articulated models. With this new addition, IVECO BUS further expands its urban offer for sustainable and economical mobility”, said Stéphane Espinasse, IVECO BUS Head of Sales and Products.
The new-generation hybrid technology, featuring an electric drivetrain developed in close collaboration with Voith, delivers a significant reduction in energy costs and CO2 emissions compared to previous generations, while optimizing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
As with the 12-m long version, the hybrid solution featured in the articulated URBANWAY includes a 48 V battery coupled to the DIWA NXT gearbox and the proven Cursor 9 engine. The DIWA NXT gearbox is combined with a powerful 35 kW peak electrical recovery motor, which acts as a starter and generator to recover the kinetic energy accumulated during the deceleration and braking phases, with a high-energy LTO battery (48 V) mounted on the roof. The electric motor supports the Cursor 9 engine during the acceleration phases, in order to save fuel.
The new solution also features a Stop & Start function, which offers multiple advantages to users and operators. It eliminates noise and vibrations, resulting in greater comfort for passengers, residents, and pedestrians at bus stops, and further improves fuel economy.
With these features, the new-generation URBANWAY Hybrid delivers 16% fuel savings compared to the non-hybrid version – an important advantage at a time when local authorities and operators are facing rising energy costs. In addition, this renewable fuel hybrid solution enables them to reduce their CO emissions by up to 16%. When combined with biomethane, the CO2 emission reduction raises up to 83%.
The simpler design of this new-generation hybrid solution, which has no costly high-voltage components, together with the savings in fuel costs, significantly reduces the TCO compared to previous full-hybrid technologies.
In addition, IVECO BUS has won the coveted ‘Sustainable Bus of the Year 2023’ award, in the intercity category, for its CROSSWAY Low Entry Hybrid Natural Gas, biomethane compatible, bus. This is the third such title won by IVECO BUS and follows the 2018 Award for its Low Entry CROSSWAY version and the 2020 title for the CROSSWAY natural gas-powered coach.
Source: IVECO Group
