Twelve Citywide hybrid vehicles have been manufactured in Scania’s factory in Słupsk, Poland, and they’re now ready to be delivered to the customer, Vårgårdabuss. The Swedish bus company has about 60 buses in its fleet, with the newly purchased models the first hybrids. The buses will be operated in Alingsås in the service of transport agency Västtrafik.
Joakim Claesson, co-owner of Vårgårdabuss, said: “Electric power is the future, so it’s good to be able to start as soon as possible. Everyone is going to be doing this.” The new hybridised version of the Scania Citywide, featuring low-floor entry, is well suited for both inner city and suburban runs at speeds of up to 100km/h. From the driver’s point of view, there’s very little difference between the hybrid and a traditional diesel.
“The hybrid could possibly be experienced as gentler to drive,” says Peter Björk, Managing Director of Scania in Słupsk. The bus features a display that during operation shows stars as confirmation that the driver is driving in a fuel-efficient manner. “This works as a guide, but the drivers themselves need to know the best way to reduce fuel consumption,” added Björk.
The plan is for the Alingsås hybrid buses, which form the first batch of hybrid Citywide made in the Slupsk factory, to be in use by 15 June. Following the delivery, the manufacturing site has another order waiting from Norway.
Source: Scania.
