Tata Motors presented the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) CNG-Electric Hybrid Low-floor Starbuses. This is the first time in India that hybrid buses will be used for public transportation. The honourable Chief Minister of Delhi, Mrs. Sheila Dikshit, flagged off the buses in the presence of ministers, top Government of Delhi officers, senior DTC management, Tata Motors’ Managing Director – India Operations, Mr. P.M. Telang, and the President – Commercial Vehicles, Mr. R. Pisharody.
Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Telang said, "The CNG- Electric Hybrid Tata Starbus is a result of Tata Motors’ advances in alternate fuel technologies, including electric vehicles. We are grateful to the Government of Delhi and the DTC for giving us this opportunity of showcasing hybrid buses in the city of Delhi during the Commonwealth Games. We will eagerly look forward to the feedback of the DTC and passengers."
The four Hybrid buses of Tata Motors will run in the city of Delhi during the Commonwealth Games period. The company will maintain the buses, as it does for the fleet of Tata low-floor CNG buses running in the city. Meant for intra-city transportation, the Hybrid Tata Starbus is powered with a parallel hybrid engine comprising an internal combustion CNG engine and an electric motor using regenerative energy storage system. Parallel hybrid technology uses power generation simultaneously through both the CNG engine and the electric motor to drive the vehicle. The system reutilises lost braking energy to recharge the battery.
The Tata Hybrid Starbus offers substantial improvement in fuel economy compared to a conventional bus. As a result, the usage of this technology leads to lower emissions, thereby contributing to cleaner air and a greener, more environment-friendly commercial passenger transportation application. The low-floor (floor height: 400 mm) air-conditioned bus can seat 32 passengers, and can also accommodate wheel chairs.
With high starting acceleration, and a maximum speed of 70 kph, the Hybrid Starbus is an innovative solution for fast and comfortable intra-city passenger movement in an environment-friendly manner. During the Commonwealth Games, DTC will also operate a fleet of 600 Tata low floor air-conditioned CNG buses for the exclusive use of athletes and delegates.
