LDN- HEV1 goes into service

A few weeks ago, and after much publicity, the experimental Hybrid technology double deck bus entered service.
Called HEV1 by Arriva in London, it works mon-fri 3 round trips on route 141 on duty WN74.

The bus is VDL DB250 with 1.9 litre Vauxhall 4 Cylinder diesel engine [as fitted to the Vauxhall Vectra car!]. the full procuction line would have a 2.4 littre model fitted instead.

The techology used is also similar to the one used aready on the experimental WHY single deck class to be seen on route 360.

Here is the bus at Manor House leaning over to let a disabled passanger get off the bus.

So how about its preformance? Does it has enough power to run up the slope?

Route 141's run is flat- i.e. no hills . performance? so far, out of 3 working weeks [some of which were short 4 day week due to easter] the bus run on between 2-3 days out of the week, and it goes out at around 7am, and back in the garage by 14:00 [with an hour's break for lunch].

The single decks- there are 6 WHYs for route 360, delivered last year. only recently, you could see, on very odd occasions , 5 out of 6 in service. usually now it;s between 3-4 - but those buses do not run on Sundays!

HEV1 was tested for hilly climbs, and it was OK. but it was tested only twice- and not on service.
Wood Green garage- where HEV1 is based- operates routes 144 & W3 which climbs to Alexandra Palace [W3] or Muswell Hill [144], and there are no plans to use it on those routes .

regards

Yoram,

here is another angle of HEV1.

One thing worth pointing out is the exhaust:


It looks odd to say the least.

To me, it looks very similar to a 'normal' DW- that is a DAF/VDL Wright bodied double deck bus! just remove all the stickers!

The Same applies to the B9 with London General. The only difference is that the bus has two intakes- instead of one.

Regards,

Yoram.