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Crown Coaches presents Australia's 1st hybrid bus Print E-mail
Crown Coaches BCI hybrid bus

 

Crown Coaches Pty. Ltd. will be the first bus company in Australia to offer the groundbreaking Electric-Diesel BCI (Bus and Coach International) JXK6930 hybrid vehicle. 

 

Crown Coaches Pty. Ltd. has invested in hybrid technology as part of our Greenhouse Challenge Plus efforts.   Crown joined the Greenhouse Challenge Plus in 2000, it is an Industry-Government partnership which aims to:

  • reduce greenhouse gas emissions (including promotion of awareness of greenhouse gas abatement opportunities in industry)
  • accelerate the uptake of energy efficiency
  • integrate greenhouse issues into business decision-making
  • provide more consistent reporting of greenhouse gas emissions levels.

During our prerelease testing, the engine computer reported a diesel fuel economy of 3.73 Km/L.    Comparable buses in our fleet for size and utilisation have a fuel economy of 2.75  Km/L (higher is better).    Carbon dioxide emissions have been tested for a BCI hybrid bus with exactly the same hybrid system but 2 tonnes heavier to be 1092 g/Km, the tare weight of our vehicle is 10,120 Kg.   Crown Coaches Managing Director Victor Haoust said “We expect the school bus to travel approximately 35,000 Km each year.  The use of Hybrid technology will save each year around 385,000 "black balloons" (50 grams of CO2 per balloon), when compared to a non-hybrid vehicle travelling the same distance”.

 

In addition to the engine computer, a GPS and telemetry system supplied by Monash Professional Group (MPG) monitors location, speed, engine RPM and other vital information.   Two-way radio communication and information from the MPG equipment increase safety by allowing staff in our office to have constant contact with the bus and offers operational awareness not previously possible.   A closed circuit camera system records activity within the bus and a DVD and stereo system supply entertainment on board.   Reversing cameras provide safety for pedestrians and objects behind the vehicle during reversing.    A Transhost tag system identifies the bus at the depot during fuelling, allowing close monitoring of long term fuel consumption.

 

The BCI JXK6930 hybrid can carry up to 41 passengers with normal seating, up to 10 wheelchairs or a combination of both.   The term "hybrid" refers to this vehicle using a mix of electric power and diesel generated power to propel the vehicle.

 

Electrically powered by an Eaton parallel hybrid system, the BCI hybrid offers up to 30% less fuel consumption; decreasing emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and diesel fuel exhaust particulates.  The system is designed so that the diesel engine is used within its efficient range, powering the vehicle at high speeds while acceleration from a standing start up to 30km/h is powered primarily by electric power.   The batteries are recharged by reclaimed power during braking, reducing brake wear and servicing costs.

 

The Cummins 6.7-litre ISBe diesel engine also powers the BCI hybrid bus, utilising selective catalytic reduction (SCR) to significantly reduce emissions.   The 225hp ISBe meets Australia's ADR80/02 emissions regulations as well as Euro 4 standards.   SCR technology uses a chemical called urea along with a catalytic converter to reduce the emissions of nitrogen oxides, highly toxic gases which are greenhouse pollutants and react with volatile organic compounds and light to create smog.   Urea reacts with the nitrous oxides in the exhaust to convert them to harmless nitrogen and water.   The inherently fuel efficient engine and full-authority electronic engine management system maintain an optimum balance between load limits, fuel efficiency and emissions control.  The Cummins B-series is one of the most successful and reliable diesels developed by the company, with more than 3 millon units in service globally. 

 

Crown has endeavored to use as many Australian products and services including:

Many new jobs have been created in the businesses above to support and grow hybrid technology. 

 

Mr Haoust went on to say, “The developmental work between ourselves and BCI (Bus and Coach International) to get the hybrid vehicle into Australia has been considerable.” 

 

"However it is something that we felt needed to be done for future generations – with an outcome that we feel will be better for everyone.”  The lower emissions from this Electric-Diesel vehicle are significant. This vehicle and the others like it that we will be introducing over the next years will be a win for the passengers, a win for the community and a win for the environment.” Mr Haoust said.

 

With the effective life of a school bus being around 18-20 years setting the standard now with the latest technology available is very important” Mr Haoust said.

 

Crown Coaches is a family based business employing over 180 Victorians, and operates a combination of coach and school bus services.

 

In total, 64% of the BCI hybrid is Australian content and every dollar profit made by BCI Australiia stays in Australia instead of being repatriated to other countries.      Going forward, this percentage will be increased as stainless steel which is produced in Sweden will change to Australian stainless steel (Tubemakers Steel) and a Cummins engine that will be produced in the United States as opposed to been produced in the United Kingdom.

 

Crown Coaches Pty Ltd is creating employment and training for extra mechanical staff, drivers and supervisors. 

 

Our BCI hybrid was registered with VicRoads on 20th January 2009, and was officially launched by The Honourable Minister for Education Bronwyn Pike MP at Melbourne Museum on February 4th 2009.

 

Please see our fleet information page for full size picture downloads of the Crown Coaches BCI hybrid.

Read the press release from the The Honourable Minister for Education Bronwyn Pike MP here.

 

Crown Coaches BCI hybrid bus
 
Earth Hour 2009 8:30-9:30pm Saturday 28 March 2009 Print E-mail
Tuesday, 06 January 2009 17:41

Crown Coaches was proud to turn off all electrical power at our main fuse box during Earth Hour 2008.   We gained by taking part in Earth Hour by shutting down all of our IT systems prior, testing our disaster recovery mechanisms and identifying energy hogging equipment.   Essential safety systems such as exit signs and lighting (running on battery power) were also tested during Earth Hour.   In all, Earth Hour helped us evaluate our resistance against catastrophic power failure as well as allowing us to contribute to the Earth Hour cause.  

 

Crown Coaches is located in Nunawading, within the City of Whitehorse.   The City of Whitehorse Council encouraged us to participate last year, and have again included Earth Hour as part of their calendar of events.   View the March 2009 City of Whitehorse calendar of events here.

 

An excerpt from the Earth Hour email:

 

Earth Hour 2009

 

Climate change is the biggest threat to life on this planet.  Believe it or not, you can do something to help stop it today. 

On 28 March 2009, hundreds of millions of people around the world will take part in Earth Hour, sending a clear message that people care about climate changeWhen you took part in 2008, Australia played a global leadership role on climate change.  Without your urgent help in 2009, Australia may not even be able to take part.

 

Your donation of $15, $20, $50 or more will help raise $150,000 for WWF's national Earth Hour 2009 campaign to reach 11 million people around our country.

Your contribution will:

·         mobilise business and government to "switch off" for Earth Hour and power down to reduce emissions

·         help reach people across the country with national and local advertisements about reducing their carbon footprints

·         provide local councils with help to get their communities involved in Earth HourEarth Hour 2008 was a huge success and you made that happen. Please help us again in 2009.

 

2009 is a key year for decisions on climate change. World leaders will meet in Copenhagen in December 2009 to commit to emission reduction targets (to replace the Kyoto Protocol which comes to an end in 2012).

 

The people of Australia need to be heard. Show you care about our planet.

 

Please renew your commitment to fight climate change by helping us raise $150,000.You can make the difference.

 

Earth Hour: 8.30 - 9.30pm, Saturday 28 March 2009.

 

Visit the Earth Hour website by clicking here. 

Crown Coaches is taking part in Earth Hour 2009 as an adjunct to our Greenhouse Challenge Plus commitment.

Last Updated ( Friday, 09 January 2009 11:48 )
 
New Photos Added PDF Print E-mail
Saturday, 24 May 2008 10:33
New photos of our coaches have been added to our fleet gallery courtesy of Matthew Browne and Mick Kane.
Last Updated ( Saturday, 24 May 2008 10:36 )
 
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Bus Association Victoria Member 2007-2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Green House Challenge Plus Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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