March 25th, 2009 Dutch e-Traction Hybrid Buses Use In-Wheel Motors to Save Fuel
Hybrid buses are to be the next big thing in public transportation. I live in a medium-sized city (about 200,000 inhabitants), but we already have hybrid diesel-electric buses. The diesel charges a battery, and the battery propels the bus for as long as fuel exists in the tank.
A dutch company, called e-Traction has developed a new type of hybrid bus. It has the same working principle, but the difference is that the electric motors are embedded in the wheels. This technology has been around for some time, but this is the first time that it has the chance to be used in public transportation.
e-Traction’s bus consumes 50% less due to the in-wheel motors, because the efficiency is a lot greater, since there are no additional mechanics that would consume a part of the energy through friction and their weight. The bus, like all the electric cars, has regenerative braking, to additionally improve its fuel economy.