Tehran’s worn-out bus fleet will be replaced by new vehicles, increasing the total number of buses in this metropolis to 5,000.
Tehran’s Mayor Alireza Zakani has announced that in the current fiscal year (started March 21), a 150% jump will increase the bus fleet from around 2,000 to 5,000, Donyaye Khodro reported.
“We are committed to carry out the renovation and have received the permit for it. This renovation will either be done through imports, or we will supply the buses through domestic producers," he added.
Tehran’s Deputy Mayor Mojtaba Shafiei recently stated that the dilapidation of bus fleet after just a decade is due to population density, the long distances traversed by buses and the subsequent wear and tear, hence bus renovation was placed on the agenda.
"As per the plans, 1,400 buses will be overhauled this year, the budget of which was earmarked by the city council for Tehran, and we have requested the executive works," he said.
"The overhaul of these buses will create a big change in the field of bus transportation. About 1,600 buses have been planned for Tehran from oil exports, which will create a big opening in the field of bus supply."
Shafiei noted that as part of the supply contract, 2,000 buses will be supplied by domestic producers nationwide, of which 900 have been earmarked for Tehran.
With the advancement of technology around the world and the promotion of automotive electrification to reduce pollutants, calls for using electric buses intensified in many advanced countries.
In the last two years, the country's bus manufacturers have launched initiatives for designing and producing electric buses, such that some of these electric products were unveiled last year in the first post-coronavirus exhibition.
In the same vein, people hope measures will be taken to replace worn-out models with electric buses. At present, a contract has been prepared for employing 50 electric buses in Tehran.
Regardless of whether the infrastructure for these cars is ready, this small step can be considered the inception of automotive electrification in Tehran, provided it is supported by the government and related organizations.
Iran Khodro Diesel Unveiled Iran’s First Electric Bus
Iran Khodro Diesel’s electric bus called E-Atros was unveiled on March 13. The first electric bus relies on batteries and works without the need for Overhead Catenary System. This EV is based on the platform and chassis of Iran Khodro Diesel’s Atros diesel bus, but with a different and new design.
E-Atros is a 12-meter electric bus suitable for inner-city use, which was unveiled by Iran Khodro Diesel as the first electric bus based on Iranian batteries.
The e-Atros has an electric motor that is capable of producing 470 horsepower and 3500 Nm of instantaneous torque, Khodro Nevis reported.
Electric motors provide torque and power to the driver instantly, which gives the electric version of the bus a better initial acceleration than the diesel model. It is also much better to head uphill due to the higher power of electric motor than the gasoline, as well as the transmission of power and torque. This electric bus is powered by a 350-kWh battery.
These batteries have IP68 standard and six of them are located in the engine compartment and the other four are located on the roof of the bus.
The bus has the ability to climb 20% of the slope while carrying the maximum number of passengers and despite placing some batteries on the roof, it is able to maintain its stability and not overturn while transversing the 30-degree slope.
The top speed of the bus is 90km/h which is desirable for an intercity vehicle.
One of the positive features of this bus is having Regenerative Braking System that transfers the kinetic energy of an object in motion into potential or stored energy to slow the vehicle down and increase fuel efficiency.
The length, width and height of bus are 12,100 mm, 2,500 mm and 3,450 mm, respectively and the height inside the cabin is 2,532 mm, so passengers are not inconvenienced while standing.
The front and rear axles of the bus are capable of withstanding a maximum weight of 7 and 13 tons and the maximum gross weight of this electric bus is around 19.5 tons.
The electric bus is able to travel 380 km in full charge mode.
If the ventilation system is on and the bus is moving at full capacity, the distance traveled by this electric bus will be reduced to 250-300 km.
The same amount of traveling distance is more than the distance traveled by intercity passenger buses on one day. Thus, the electric bus has an appropriate mileage and outpaces the standards set by the municipality of Tehran and other metropolises.
