T.E.P. Parma orders 9 innovative hybrid trolleybuses

The north Italian public transport operator T.E.P. (Trasporti pubblici Parma) has ordered nine hybrid trolleybuses from Van Hool and Vossloh Kiepe. The partners achieved proven good results with respect to energy savings, and these results have now also convinced Parma to order the combined trolley and hybrid bus technology vehicles.

The redesigned articulated vehicles from the Belgian vehicle manufacturer Van Hool will be outfitted with electric traction equipment and a brake energy storage capacitor from Vossloh Kiepe. Deliveries will begin in the middle of 2012.

Until now a combination of hybrid and trolleybus technology is unique. Vossloh Kiepe developed the environmentally-friendly technology in 2008 for installation in Van Hool trolleybuses for the passenger traffic undertaking ATM Milan. Current benchmark tests in which the power consumption of the vehicles was measured confirm lasting energy savings of about 20 percent.

This is made possible by high performance condensers – so-called Supercaps – which are integrated into the Kiepe on-board energy storage. The Supercaps securely and quickly store the kinetic energy arising from brake application. This energy is then re-used for the air-conditioning, acceleration, heating, and even for driving without connection to the overhead lines.

A diesel generator (in compliance with the Euro 5 emission standard) is installed for longer sections without connection to the overhead lines.

The triaxial vehicles will receive twin tires on the second and third axles. An externally ventilated traction engine drives the second axle via a single-stage transmission gear.

With this decision for hybrid trolleybuses, the ecology-minded city of Parma has underlined their commitment to clean, emission-free public local transit.