Optare PLC today demonstrated to the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Gordon Brown, MP, its innovative, practical and immediately available fully battery-powered bus – the Optare Solo EV.

The Government’s initiative announced today in establishing a £30 million fund to encourage the use of low carbon buses will speed the introduction of this pioneering new green technology.

The move was warmly welcomed by Optare’s CEO, Jim Sumner, who explained the details of the Solo EV to the Prime Minister: “This is precisely the shot in the arm the bus industry needs to switch to low carbon buses. The Solo EV is the first practical fully electric and therefore totally emission free bus available in Britain and it can be ordered today and be on the streets very soon”.

Mr Sumner told the Prime Minister that Optare is developing a range of advanced technology low carbon buses but none will be able to eclipse the Solo EV in terms of emissions performance. Since it was shown to bus operators earlier this year the vehicle has attracted strong interest but the inevitably higher purchase price has obviously deterred some. Today’s announcement of a ‘green grant’ will overcome many of those objections.
Rising fuel prices and the introduction of low emission zones are indicators of the scale of concern today for the environment, which is placing increasing pressure on fleet managers to lower their emissions. Within this context the Solo EV can help companies to meet their environmental commitments.

The Solo EV is a progression of the well known Optare Solo range, Britain’s top selling family of midibuses for urban applications. The drivetrain is fully zero emission and can easily be retrofitted to in-service Solos, thanks to the model’s innovative modular power pack cradle. The electric drivetrain delivers zero exhaust pollution: no PM10s, no nitrogen oxide, no carbon monoxide and no carbon dioxide.

Replacing the more usual diesel engine installation is an all new electric power pack. Drive is provided by an Enova Systems P120 AC induction motor rated at 120kW and powered by two banks of Valence Lithium Ion Phosphate batteries. The two sets of batteries, chosen for their safe and long-life technology, work in parallel and provide 307volts and a total of 80kW/hour of energy. The batteries are housed in two steel crates set either side of the centrally mounted motor for excellent weight distribution.

The drivetrain is much simpler than that of its diesel counterpart. The engine and gearbox have been replaced by a motor driving the rear wheels. Key differences in the driving experience are:

• A smooth take up of power without the need for gear changes. This progressive power will not disturb standing or seated passengers during vehicle launch by utilising the system’s acceleration control function.
• Vehicle top speed is limited to 90 km/h although this can be further restricted for in service requirements.
• The vehicle controls are as for a diesel powered Solo apart from amendments to the driver display to accommodate a battery fuel gauge and warning lights.
• The familiar driving experience is retained with coasting braking to mimic the driving characteristics of the conventional vehicle.
• The vehicle has regenerative braking with a drive motor used to slow the vehicle and recover energy to the batteries. This increases vehicle range and reduces brake component wear. This system is of course supplemented by the Solo’s superb foundation brakes.

The Optare Solo EV represents a significant technological advance and one which delivers strongly on the Government’s commitment to reduce pollution levels on city streets. Optare is proud to be amongst the pioneers of this technology in the bus industry supplying a practical and totally emissions free full sized bus.

For further information please contact:
Martin Hayes, Communications Advisor +44 (0)20 7494 8050 mhayes@automotivepr.com