REDUCING ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EXHAUST EMISSIONS IN PUBLIC ROAD TRANSPORT. ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN LAND TRANSPORT. PROCEEDINGS OF A SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR ENERGY, LUXEMBOURG, MAY 16-18, 1988

This article describes four projects for reducing public transport energy consumption and exhaust emissions currently being undertaken in West Germany. These are: (a) optimization of the bus propulsion system. This is effected by the careful matching of the engine, transmission and driving axle using a computer located on the bus. This can cut energy consumption by about 10%; (b) the hydro bus system, which is based on the recovery of the energy expended in braking. The bus has a propulsion system equipped with an infinitely variable mechanical torque-division transmission and an accumalator for braking energy. Energy savings are about 20%. Air and noise pollution are also decreased; (c) the city bus for the 1990's (dual engine bus). This employs 2 smaller engines instead of one large one, with the aim of matching effective cylinder capacity to power requirements. Engines are switched off when not needed, with fuel savings of about 30%; and (d) the magnetic engine project, which contains an electrical power unit exploiting integrated magnetodynamic storage. Some 50% of the available braking energy is expected to be recovered and reused. For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 824263.