First Orders 2014/15

[126th street]

RE: First Orders 2014/15

(17/01/2014 23:12)Polo Mint Wrote:  ...also I really like the B7RLE Eclipses and I have heard that the Streetlite is flimsy compared to it.

The Hybrid components in these vehicles are very interesting, I wonder if having a real hybrid is not cost effective enough.

Wrights claims the Streetlite is good for an 18-year life. Whether it is or not, nobody will know for quite some time, but even if it lasts for only 14-15 years, the whole life costs taking into account lower purchase price and reduced fuel consumption - further enhanced by the Micro Hybrid - will make it a much more efficient vehicle to run than a B8RLE, K230 or whatever else.

Full hybrid as in an E400H or B5LH is, at the moment, nowhere near an economically viable product without the government's contribution in the form of Green Bus Fund money. If GBF dried up and was never seen again it is quite likely that with the exception of specific contracts where the hybrid's huge additional cost was built into the tender price, you wouldn't see another one sold outside London.

Battery replacement costs are another elephant in the room as far as hybrid goes.