(10 Sep 2022, 12:12 pm)F114TML wrote Yeah, especially when Wrightbus are claiming the hydrogen version of the GB Kite will be able to do up to 600 miles on a single change/tank, although I'd like to see it actually do that before making judgement. ADL claim the E400 FCEV will be able to do 300, which is a much more reasonable estimate (and nearly double the E400EV).
For short city services, electric is fine, but for the rest I think we need hydrogen - via CNG/biogas.
Edit: Wrightbus have it seems revised their claim, and say 640-650 miles, although the one they actually built says 450. Either way, it's still much better than a BEV.
https://wrightbus.com/en-gb/gb-kite-hydroliner-fcev
Aye, to be fair I don't see why it's not doable they do similar to Diesel pretty much so it's just a like for like replacement, not to mention the big bonus that there's been examples of diesel vehicles been converted which is a massive gain. I'm surprised they aren't designing new diesel buses with provision in place so it can be done tbh.
The biggest benefit is though is if it ran out, it can pop into the depot fill up in 20 seconds and be back out - it's not ideal but it's certainly better than sitting around all night on a charger getting charged up - which is a problem in itself, where's all the space for that going to come from at the tighter depots ie. Washington.
(10 Sep 2022, 12:15 pm)Rob44 wrote very true. but what about the green arrow buses on the 97? Surely they would save money on routes when they arn't even breaking even? I agree hydrogen is the way forward though
Aye they should be doable, tbh it's one thing I always like about Arriva is they tend to buy new buses for all types of routes and then run them to the ground on that route rather than buying new buses for one route then having handydowns over and over again.
The new Enviro 200 MMC's for the 46/51/55/57/57A and Enviro 400 MMC's for the X14 and X20 being prime examples - those routes would never get newer buses if it was ran by GNE or if they did they get them took away for elsewhere - see North Tyneside or the 47/X47 which are similar routes really. I know it's all about internal issues though as they wouldn't have the case internally to get the vehicles in the first place with GNE.
imo if you have the same type of bus on your route then they never really get old per say like the Gemini's at Blyth still feel alright to me and that's because they've been there since new. If we suddenly got them 3/4 through their life they're old and scruffy.