Eaton delivers hybrid power systems for buses in India

Hybrid power systems manufacturer Eaton Corporation has introduced its hybrid electric system into the Indian city bus market with debut on the Tata Motors electric hybrid Starbuses. Tata Motors jointly operated these four buses with the Delhi Transport Corporation on specific routes during the Commonwealth Games.

Worldwide, more than 4,500 of Eaton’s hybrid systems are in use today on city buses, school buses, package delivery trucks, beverage delivery trucks, refrigerated delivery trucks, refuse and recycling trucks, utility vehicles and other commercial applications. Eaton has also begun offering a complete line of electric vehicle charging systems to further reduce fuel consumption and harmful emissions.

"Eaton is well positioned to deliver effective power management technologies that help our customers control costs and reduce their energy requirements. Hybrid-powered buses have the potential to impact environmental sustainability in a very big way. Tata is an innovative leader in the Indian bus market and is making important progress in reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions," said Krishnakumar Srinivasan, managing director, Eaton Truck Division, India.

Eaton worked with Tata to specially design the system for buses that run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). The hybrid system combines a 5.9 litre Cummins CNG engine rated at 172 kilowatt (230HP) with an electric motor that has a peak power output of 44 kilowatt. Eaton matches the system to an automated six-speed Eaton transmission and stores energy in four lithium-ion batteries that are mounted under the seats. Additionally, Eaton equips the buses with its unique start-stop technology that automatically switches off the engine when the bus is stationary and turns it back on when power is needed. This system dramatically reduces emissions, especially at bus stops.

The company claims that the hybrid systems have collectively accumulated more than 160 million kilometers of service, reducing fuel consumption by 15 million liters of diesel fuel and harmful emissions by 40,000 metric tons. Eaton offers complete line-up of hybrid systems for commercial vehicle applications and the charging and networked charging infrastructure for commercial and residential applications.

Eaton hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric and hybrid hydraulic power systems are available or in development on truck models including Crane Carrier Corporation, DAF, Daimler, Freightliner, Ford, International, Iveco, Kenworth, and Peterbilt and on bus models from BCI, Foton, Heng Tong, JNP, King Long, Shen Long, Solaris, Tata, YoungMan, Yutong and Zhongtong.

Eaton is a global technology manufacturer in electrical components and systems for power quality, distribution and control; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace fuel, hydraulics and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use; and truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems. Eaton has 70,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries.