Carl Grimes' fantastic bus transporter... moves the team and the racecar, even sleeps them when on the road

found on a page about Carl's dragster and shop http://deansgarage.com/2011/1932-kranzler-sturm-roadster/

Volvo developing a plug-in hybrid bus

Volvo Buses is currently developing a plug-in hybrid bus that can drive long distances silently and exhaust-free on only electricity. Three buses will be tested in Gothenburg, Sweden, supported by the European Union.



Volvo currently has the world’s most efficient hybrid solution for buses and trucks. Volvo Buses has sold more than 250 hybrid buses, which are reducing fuel consumption by up to 35% and thus also reducing energy consumption and carbon-dioxide emissions by an equal amount.





“Reducing the total global energy consumption is the most important measure today and in the future,” says Volvo Buses CEO Håkan Karlsson. “The bus is already today clearly the most energy-efficient vehicle for public transport and our hybrid bus will accentuate its position as the best environmental option.”



“But, we must continue to reduce energy consumption and for us in the bus industry, this involves finding solutions to increase electricity use.”



Supported by authorities including the Swedish Energy Agency, Volvo is developing a plug-in hybrid bus. It is essentially the same Volvo hybrid bus as today, where the brake energy is recycled and utilized by the electric motor. But, with a new type of battery and charging equipment it will also be possible to charge the battery via the electricity network.



The concept is based on placing battery charging stations at the end stations of the bus lines. By charging the battery there for five to ten minutes, it could significantly extend the time that the bus is able to operate only on electricity.



This could entail distances of up to ten kilometers, with the corresponding advantages in the form of silent traffic with no local emissions. It can be controlled so that the bus operates on electricity in densely populated areas or in particularly sensitive environmental areas, while the diesel engine can be used on other parts of the route.



This technology will generate considerable opportunities to significantly reduce energy consumption. The reason is that electric engines have very high efficiency.



“We expect to be able to reduce the energy consumption in a city bus by up to 65% compared with today’s diesel buses,” says Håkan Karlsson. “And, the plug-in hybrid bus will be able to reduce diesel consumption and thus carbon-dioxide emissions by more than 75%.”



Volvo Buses expects to have a prototype bus ready for testing in 2011. The next step will be taken in autumn 2012, when a field test will commence in Gothenburg using three chargeable hybrid buses. The buses will be put in service with passengers.



The field test project will be implemented in cooperation with Business Region Göteborg, the Traffic Office inGothenburgCity, Västtrafik and Göteborgs Energi, which will be responsible for the charging stations. On Friday, the project was granted a subsidy of Euro 1,4 M from the EU’s program that supports environmental ventures, Life+.



“It is important to the environment that we are able to develop new energy-efficient solutions as rapidly as possible,” says Ulf Gustafsson, Head of Public Affairs at Volvo Buses. “We have the opportunity to succeed because we are capitalizing on the collective expertise of companies, organizations and authorities, and they are jointly investing the funds required.”



The field test will commence in autumn 2012, but Volvo Buses does not know yet when the company will be able to offer this bus in the market.



“It will take a few more years,” says Håkan Karlsson. “But, we are convinced that this is a key step on the path to more efficient public transport and an important step in the effort to reduce global energy consumption.”



| Volvo

interesting variety of cars, blimps, trains, race cars and motorwheels found on The Old Motor.com

 929 Packard and the Graf Zeppelin. For an amazing color gallery of the inside of the Hindenburg: http://www.howtobearetronaut.com/2011/04/inside-the-hindenburg-in-colour/

This an unusual front door bus with a ladder in the back so people could ride on top, This is a steam powered bus built in Hoquiam, Gray's Harbor County, Washington in 1902.  It was in passenger service between Aberdeen and Hoquaim for just eleven days when it slipped off the road and into a creek, breaking a passenger's neck in the process.  The lawsuit drove the company out of business (Steve found this out with magic!)

 1905 Matheson

 1908 Corbin

 1919 series 9b franklin with 4 piece wedge windshield

 1920's  Locomobile model 48 with Farnum and Nelson coachwork

 Naptha fuel in 1927

 1938 REO delivery van

 American Underslung

 I didn't make a note about this photo, but probably the wrok of Stephan Marjoram

Above and below show just what a lack of border security there was between San Diego and Ti Juana... passing over was not even noticeable. Now, it's normally an hour or 2 of sitting in traffic, at least, to get into the US.

  

 Only 1915 Indian registration I've ever seen

 chain drive AC Mack tow truck delivering to the junkyard

 Columbia Electric Vehicle with 2 coachmen riding on the back

 Keeping the car high and dry during a flood

 1922 Frontenac Indy race car and Duray the driver.. I like the grill design

A 1913-14 GMC Electric

 interesting double globe gas pumps

 wow, that is a fancy art deco garage facade

 the private collection of the Indian Govenor of Rampur

 The Hassler shock absorber salesman pointing out options and upgrades this car has, like the solid disc rims, the upgraded Hassler shocks, the sunscreen, and front bumper

 look at the crazy hat and headscarf the woman in the back of the car is wearing

 Wow. Impressive task they have ahead of them

 homemade early RV

Above is a famous firepump from 1889, the one called Jumbo, Hartford Ct

 Board lumbar roads, because they couldn't get around when the tundra thawed I suppose.

 Interesting tires on this chain drive Knox firetruck

 Above and below are Matheson autos

 Mercers

 Mitchell proving how reliable it was

 Locomobile Model 48 with coachbuilt body by Farnham and Belson

 A Frazer Nash photographed by Stephen Marjoram

 a painting of Oregon across the broad back

 REO Speedwagons and Duesenburg Indy racecars

 Smith Motorwheel

 Unusual locomotive design used in the train yard as a switcher

 the last Miller racecar was one of 2 4 wheel drive, here it is racing up Pikes Peak

A tour bus by White in Yosemite

all found among the 156 pages of great history, photography, and information on http://theoldmotor.com/