Oslo to test e-buses
Six new electric buses will be used in Oslo’s mass transit traffic starting this November
Photo: Ruter
One of the new buses, a six-wheel articulated bus, about 60 ft. long.
M. Michael Brady
Asker, Norway
On January 11, Ruter, the Oslo Public Transport Authority, presented its plan for zero-emission buses in mass transit traffic. Six electric buses have been purchased. After facilities for their maintenance and charging have been completed, this November they will be put on three routes in the city, for two years of testing.
The six electric buses are of three different configurations. Two of the buses are of ordinary four-wheel, 39 ft. long city bus size and have smaller batteries to fit more seats for passengers. Another two are the same size but have larger batteries for longer ranges between charges. These buses are made by Solaris Bus & Coach of Bolechowo, Poland. The final two are of the articulated six-wheel, 59 ft. long size, and will be tested on route 31 that runs east-west across the city and is Norway’s busiest bus route. They are made by BYD Auto Co. of Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China.
Two different battery charging systems will be tested. The batteries of the Solaris buses will be fast charged at the end stations of their routes. The batteries of the BYD articulated buses will be charged when the vehicles are out of service at their depots overnight.
The results of the testing will determine many of the parameters of the electric buses to be rolled out in 2020. The ultimate goal is for all Oslo buses to be electric by 2025.
This article originally appeared in the Jan. 27, 2017, issue of The Norwegian American. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.
