One-month test run of electric bus starts

BANGKOK: Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) yesterday conducted a month long test run of the electric bus in Bangkok with plan to put into actual shuttle service in May.

The test run of the first electric bus was cooperated by Loxley Plc which supplied the vehicle for test.

The test run was launched in a ceremony presided over by deputy transport minister Omsin Chiwaphruek.

The route on the test run is from Morchit bus terminal to Don Muang airport, and will last May 25.

The fare for the route is 30 baht.

The new bus meets the public service vehicle accessibility regulation that enables disabled passengers to access to the service.

Mr Omsin said the BMTA will put in service 20 more electric buses in May.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/152685

-- Thai PBS 2016-02-27

Good, but electric buses, will not reduce overall pollution. I will reduce the amount on the streets of Bangkok, but we will still have the pollution from the electrical power plants,

Why have a trial, from the last sentence the money has been paid and the decision made.

Good, but electric buses, will not reduce overall pollution. I will reduce the amount on the streets of Bangkok, but we will still have the pollution from the electrical power plants,

Is anyone claiming it will? not in the article.

Good, but electric buses, will not reduce overall pollution. I will reduce the amount on the streets of Bangkok, but we will still have the pollution from the electrical power plants,

The potential is there for non-polluting electrical power generation. Even disregarding that option, traditional electrical power plants generate less pollution than black-smoke-spewing diesel buses.

jacky54 - it is a well recorded fact that electricity generation will produce some level of pollution. Having said that would it not be better if the pollution was removed from the town and city centres into a more rural environment where there is sufficient greenery to offset the carbon monoxide emissions?

One of the major problems for Thai people is that electric vehicles do not make as much noise as internal combustion vehicles so there is a risk of people stepping out in front of the vehicles; I speak from experience as a trolleybus driver in the late 60s

Step in the right direction.. ''Bangkok' is one big SMOKE...

Fire up the more coal to the electric generating plants! That ought to reduce pollution in the country. Sorry, no such plants near the center of Thai world, Bangkok. So no problem.

Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) yesterday conducted a month long test run of the electric bus in Bangkok with plan to put into actual shuttle service in May.

Only in Thailand....nowhere else can do a month long test yesterday!!!

electric bus was cooperated by Loxley Plc which supplied the vehicle for test.

Excerpts from The Nation 2015-12-28:

"LOXLEY, a leading Thai trading conglomerate, has said a joint venture Loxley-BYD assembly plant in Bang Pakong, in Chachoengsao, is ready to produce electric vehicles with zero emissions and energy saving for the Thai market.....Early this year, Loxley in partnership with BYD Auto Industry, a Chinese manufacturer of automobiles and rechargeable batteries imported K9 electric bus and E6 passenger vehicles for sale.

Its driving system is an 180 kw AC electric motor, yielding about 250 horsepower. It is equipped with an air suspension system, and the battery used is Lithium Fe, with a capacity of 324 kw per hour and a charging time of approximately 5 hours. It should yield a driving range of over 250 km per single charge. Therefore, average use of electricity is approximately 1.2 kwh/km, or about Bt4 per kilometre, with a top speed of 70 kmh.

Battery charging from 0-50 per cent requires 39 minutes, or 5 hours to charge from 0-100 per cent. The useful life of a battery is 6,000 times of charging.

...its fuel tank capacity of 120 litres with zero emissions would help reduce CO2 emissions by up to 100 tonnes a year. Another key feature is electric vehicles have 50 per cent lower fuel consumption than NGV and three times less than diesel engine vehicles. The low-floor electric bus is also convenient for people with disabilities, offering a maximum capacity of 29 seats and space for one wheelchair."

BYD has been manufacturing its electric buses since 2010, sold its buses in the USA and UK, and has demonstrated reliable operation.

2016-01-08:

The Deputy Transport Minister is considering whether it would be cost effective to lease these buses instead of having them made. Thailand had earlier rented one from China at the cost of 15 million baht. However, the cost of importing electric car parts, including tax, will total 16 million baht.

BMTA Acting Director Pranee Sukrasorn said she preferred renting buses due to price-related factors. The electric buses can begin service next year, if the Cabinet approves the BMTA’s proposal within a few months.

BYD seems to have no competitors globally.

jacky54 - it is a well recorded fact that electricity generation will produce some level of pollution. Having said that would it not be better if the pollution was removed from the town and city centres into a more rural environment where there is sufficient greenery to offset the carbon monoxide emissions?

One of the major problems for Thai people is that electric vehicles do not make as much noise as internal combustion vehicles so there is a risk of people stepping out in front of the vehicles; I speak from experience as a trolleybus driver in the late 60s

Yes, talking about making noise how are the drivers going to have the exhaust muffler changed to make more noise so they look like macho drivers Thai style when there is no muffler system on electric buses???

LOL in LOS

jacky54 - it is a well recorded fact that electricity generation will produce some level of pollution. Having said that would it not be better if the pollution was removed from the town and city centres into a more rural environment where there is sufficient greenery to offset the carbon monoxide emissions?

One of the major problems for Thai people is that electric vehicles do not make as much noise as internal combustion vehicles so there is a risk of people stepping out in front of the vehicles; I speak from experience as a trolleybus driver in the late 60s

Yes, talking about making noise how are the drivers going to have the exhaust muffler changed to make more noise so they look like macho drivers Thai style when there is no muffler system on electric buses???

LOL in LOS

There were a lot of hybrid cars (electric ) licenced as taxis where I was living in the UK. Actually there was some discussion about fitting some sort of noise maker to give an audible warning of the approach of the car.

In the end they decided not to bother - the constant whining noise from the front right hand seat was judged to be sufficient noise.

Good, but electric buses, will not reduce overall pollution. I will reduce the amount on the streets of Bangkok, but we will still have the pollution from the electrical power plants,

depends. If power plants with gas = almost no pollution

If power plants with solar energy = no pollution

If power plants with hydro energy = no pollution

depends. If power plants with gas = almost no pollution

If power plants with solar energy = no pollution

If power plants with hydro energy = no pollution

That is only wishful thinking at current levels. Those systems cost alot to start up, run and produce enough energy to be cost efficient over fossil fuels.

Though that ought to slowly but surely change in the future once technology advances more and more to make it a very viable or superior alternative for all parties involved, regardless if fossil fuels run out by then or not, just not there yet.

Good, but electric buses, will not reduce overall pollution. I will reduce the amount on the streets of Bangkok, but we will still have the pollution from the electrical power plants,

depends. If power plants with gas = almost no pollution

If power plants with solar energy = no pollution

If power plants with hydro energy = no pollution

If nuclear energy

"BANGKOK: Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) yesterday conducted a month long test run of the electric bus in Bangkok with plan to put into actual shuttle service in May."

Amazing that BMA can do a 4 week trial in one day ?

very good idea electric buses I used to like riding the electric trams in Manchester it would certainly keep the carbon monoxide levels down to some degree ,

Good, but electric buses, will not reduce overall pollution. I will reduce the amount on the streets of Bangkok, but we will still have the pollution from the electrical power plants,

depends. If power plants with gas = almost no pollution

If power plants with solar energy = no pollution

If power plants with hydro energy = no pollution

If nuclear energy

jeez, don't give them ideas. Why do you think I didn't mention it....?

Electric mass transit at 30 baht.

What's not to like?

The person whining about pollution....

One electric bus carrying 30 people that might otherwise take 30 taxi or drive a car. Is that not let pollution?

Everything is going to carry some sort of a carbon foot print, even down to bicycling.

So, what is YOUR solution?

Edited February 29, 201610 yr by Nowisee