Volvo Buses helps SKF expand its 'BeyondZero' product portfolio
09 October 2012
Volvo Buses and SKF have jointly developed a new bus door actuator that requires 80-90 percent less energy than a pneumatic door system, reducing fuel consumption by 2 percent.
Examples from SKF's mechatronic range
This reduction equates to a savings of 1.9 tonnes of CO2/year when compared to a bus using pressurized air to open and close the doors*. Volvo Buses introduced the door actuator on the Volvo 7900 Hybrid bus last month at the IAA exhibition in Hannover, Germany. The new actuator will be included in SKF's recently launched 'BeyondZero' portfolio of environmentally-friendly products.
According to Edward Jobson, environment director for Volvo Buses, the fuel savings can be compared with reducing the weight of each bus by around 500-700kg.
“This innovative development is a sustainable mechatronics solution for the bus segment," says Tryggve Sthen, president of SKF Automotive. "We are pleased to have worked closely with Volvo Buses on this solution. This clearly shows SKF’s commitment to develop solutions that help customers reduce negative environmental impact by improving energy efficiency and enabling improved fuel economy,”
Delivery of the components, which will be manufactured in Gothenburg, Sweden, begin in Q1, 2013.
*This figure is valid for one city bus, diesel hybrid with three double doors and one actuator per door (six actuators).
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