Siemens Industry Sector
Drive Technologies Division
Division Drive Technologies | April 16, 2013
Low-emissions mobility: Siemens supplies drive system for
diesel-hybrid buses in France
Siemens Drive Technologies Division is supplying a hybrid propulsion system as its contribution to the innovative Mettis
transport project to ease traffic congestion in the center of Metz, a city in eastern France. Van Hool, independent manufacturer of buses, coaches and industrial vehicles, is equipping 27 buses with drive motors, generators, power electronics and control software supplied by Siemens. A diesel generator set powers the electric motors in the low-emission,
fuel-efficient diesel hybrid vehicles, and a battery system stores surplus energy. A permanently excited drive motor also
ensures reliable, low-maintenance operation. The gearless motor installation reduces noise and vibration levels, which
in turn improves overall passenger comfort.
The double-articulated buses are 24 meters long and 3.3 meters high. They will travel through the city in dedicated lanes
separate from other traffic. Their fuel consumption is similar
to that of conventional, 12-meter diesel buses, but they can
carry almost twice as many passengers. At the same time, the
diesel-hybrid drive also reduces environmentally harmful exhaust emissions – and should cut fuel consumption and CO2
emissions significantly down to the lowest emissions-level in
this market-segment
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Innovation in dedicated lanes: the diesel-hybrid buses are scheduled to enter service at the end of 2013. (Copyright: Van Hool)
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A generator connected to a diesel engine supplies electricity to the electric motors. Braking energy is recuperated by
the drive motor and fed into the battery system. The battery system used is specially developed for this application
and is ideally suited to the starting and braking cycles of
public transport buses – it can rapidly store large quantities
of energy and deliver it again just as quickly.
Siemens is supplying the vehicles with reliable, low-maintenance, permanently excited motors. The drive machines
can be installed directly on the axles, and do not require
an intermediate transmission unit. This reduces noise and
vibration, thus improving overall passenger comfort.
Construction work on the Mettis Project began in 2010.
This alternative means of transport is scheduled to start
running on two routes with a total length of 23 kilometers
by the end of 2013. Metz City Council expects it to initially
carry 25,000 passengers per day. Later on, up to 36,000
passengers are anticipated to use the new transport system
as an attractive alternative to conventional urban buses,
trams and private cars.
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Low emissions and fuel-efficient: diesel-hybrid buses will be
operating in the city of Metz in eastern France thanks to green
Siemens drive technology. (Copyright: Van Hool)
Background Information
The growing need for mobility is leading to a significant increase in city traffic, making the use of private cars more and more
uneconomical. This has resulted in a growing demand in our major cities for innovative alternatives in the field of public transportation.
Electric drive systems can make buses and other commercial vehicles in our cities both environmentally-friendly and low in
energy consumption. With its ELFA modular hybrid drive system, Siemens has a solution capable of meeting every possible
requirement.
For more information please visit
http://www.siemens.com/press/hybridbus
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The Industry Sector and Drive Technologies Division in brief
The Siemens Industry Sector (Erlangen, Germany) is the world’s leading supplier of innovative and
environmentally friendly products and solutions for
industrial customers. With end-to-end automation
technology and industrial software, solid verticalmarket expertise, and technology-based services, the
Sector enhances its customers’ productivity, efficiency, and flexibility. With a global workforce of more
than 100,000 employees, the Industry Sector comprises the Divisions Industry Automation, Drive Technologies and Customer Services as well as the Business
Unit Metals Technologies. For more information, visit
www.siemens.com/industry
The Siemens Drive Technologies Division
(Nuremberg, Germany) is the world‘s leading supplier
of products, systems, applications, solutions and
services for the entire drive train, with electrical and
mechanical components (Integrated Drive Systems).
Drive Technologies serves all vertical markets in the
production and process industries as well as the
infrastructure/energy segment. With its products and
solutions, the Division fulfills the key requirements of
its customers for productivity, energy efficiency, and
reliability. For more information, visit
www.siemens.com/drives
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Media Contact:
Siemens Industry Sector
Drive Technologies
Stefan Rauscher
Phone +49 (0)911 - 895 7952
stefan.rauscher@siemens.com
Siemens Industry Sector
Drive Technologies
Franz-Ferdinand Friese
Phone +49 (0)911 - 895 7946
franz.friese@siemens.com