Hybrid microbus for commutes in zero-emission areas

The hybrid-propulsion microbus reaches the market to reduce the emissions of different urban services such as public transport or deliveries.

This initiative is the result of the collaboration between Repsol, Lancor, Infranor, Masermic and ClE Automotive alongside TECNALIA, as their technological partner.

The vehicle, weighing more than 3,500 kg, combines the electric engine with the fuel engine that charges the batteries whilst driving. This way, the gasoline engine operates exclusively with the purpose of charging the battery, while the electric engine propels the vehicle with the energy that is available in the batteries.

It drives exclusively in electrical mode, without generating emissions, and it doesn't need to stop. Since the vehicle has a generator-engine set, it self-charges without the driver's intervention, thus maximising the efficiency of the ensemble.

This hybrid vehicle has yet another new feature: it is fuelled by a new product developed by Repsol that increases efficiency while decreasing particle emissions.

The sum of these technologies, namely electric traction and hybridisation with highly-efficient fuels, has allowed for the development of a generic platform that can be adapted to different types of vehicles to reduce emissions and costs.

In sight of the strengthening of the regulations to access city centres, spaces in which only zero-emission vehicles may travel are progressively gaining ground. This initiative has already been implemented in Stockholm, Berlin, London, Paris and Rome.