Already a common feature in modern passenger cars, stop-start technologies also provide an efficient solution for the reduction of fuel consumption and emissions in city buses.
City buses spend up to 40% of their time in idling mode
The Voith DIWA.6 automatic transmission is perfectly engineered to deliver stop-start functionality during idling mode, thus reducing fuel consumption by 5% to 10% in combination with a capable engine. Installed in more than 100 buses in the United Kingdom, the stop-start technology has proven its performance and reliability in service since July 2015.
Unfortunately, due to South African fuel incompatibility, most of the innovative Voith components, such as the DIWA.6 automatic transmission, are not available to South African operators at present.
Voith does, however, look forward to future developments and improvements in fuel cleanliness, which will revolutionise our current market. The DIWA.6 is currently undergoing pilot testing in South Africa and we look forward to seeing Voith’s analysis and results.
During normal operating conditions – at bus stops, traffic lights and dense traffic loads – city buses spend up to 40% of their time in idling mode. During this period the Voith DIWA.6 automatic transmission allows the bus to disengage its driveline in order to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
Particularly designed for urban traffic, the DIWA.6 is capable of stop times up to 60 seconds without any influence on the start-up readiness of the bus. Depending on the duty cycle, this enables fuel savings of 5% to 10%.
Voith’s DIWA.6 stop-start technology has proven its full operational capability
While most dis-engageable technologies within the industry are still at an early stage, Voith’s DIWA.6 stop-start technology has already proven its full operational capability. Since July 2015, more than 100 buses have successfully been in service in several cities all over the UK; 150 additional vehicles equipped with DIWA Stop-Start are commissioned to date.
If desired by the operator, Voith offers to analyse operational data like the number and duration of stop-starts in detail. This allows an individual adaptation of the transmission management and maximizes the benefit of the technology against the background of the particular route.
Increased attractiveness for public transport
Besides reduced operational expenses, the DIWA.6 stop-start technology also attaches greater importance to the bus sector as an essential part of public transport networks.
Apart from fuel savings, it also reduces the emission of CO2, NOx, particulates and noise. Since the technology directly contributes to a clean city atmosphere, it paves the way for operators to meet environmental directives or receive governmental funding. Among others, the UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change granted such a funding through its Carbon Plan, which provided EUR 112,5 million (£88 million) for the purchase of low-carbon emission buses between 2010 and 2015.
Voith Turbo, a Group Division of Voith GmbH, is a specialist in intelligent drive solutions. Customers from highly diverse industries such as oil and gas, energy, mining and mechanical engineering, shipping technology, rail and commercial vehicles rely on advanced technologies from Voith Turbo. Voith sets standards in the markets for energy, oil and gas, paper, raw materials, transport and automotive.
Founded in 1867, Voith employs more than 20 000 people, operates in over 60 countries around the world and is one of the largest family-owned companies in Europe.
