Hyundai introduces hybrid bus

Hyundai Motor Co. unveiled the Blue City compress natural gas-electric hybrid bus for the first time on Jan. 25.

The vehicle is fitted with a 240-brake horsepower engine ― running on compressed natural gas ― and a 60 kilowatt or 80 brake horsepower electric motor powered by a 3.8 kilowatt hour lithium polymer battery pack. 

According to the company the Blue City is able to travel 340 kilometers, the same distance as conventional buses, despite having a smaller fuel capacity and offers up to 40 percent higher fuel economy.

The vehicle’s carbon dioxide emissions have also been lowered by 24 percent compared to conventional buses running on compressed natural gas, the company said.

The company plans to begin testing 30 Blue City buses on actual routes from July, and begin producing the vehicle on a commercial scale from 2012.

(cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)