100% electric coach

[CrabbyMilton]

I found this almost by accident. Looks a bit different but interesting anyway.
https://newatlas.com/gaffoglio-electric-bus/49432/

[oltrunt]

I can't help but wonder how much fossil fuel has to be burned to recharge the batteries???  Jack

[Fred Mc]

I was reading and looking a pictures of the double decker bus that crashed into a building canopy in Ottawa last week. From the pictures it looks like the upper deck is only fiberglass offering little or no protection to passengers.The canopy it ran into doesn't look substantial enough to do the damage it did had there been a proper metal structure on the bus. The accompanying story talked about buses having to provide more safety for passengers and compared these buses (unfavorably) to school buses.

As well the Humbolt bus crash that killed a number of hockey players in Western Canada had the roof completely torn off in  a collision with a loaded semi.
I think there are "a changes commin" in the commercial bus travel in the near future.

[CrabbyMilton]

Very true.
But when you consider that some younger people think electricity just comes it of the wall and no thought beyond that, it's small wonder why the symbolism over substance mind set will make a fortune off of those young misguided people.
Electric vehicles will get better but we're not there yet folks.
MCI has their all electric J4500e ready to roll next year.
Shall be interesting how it works out for them.
All the more power to them with this electric J but how many will be repowered with diesel when they get enough headaches from stranded charter groups.

[Geoff]

And from the title of this thread I thought we talking bus conversions, but no, it's another one about electric powered buses
  I made the correction.

[dtcerrato]

The old post war GMC bus design mimicked the war time tanks!

[Jim Blackwood]

I think it is very ugly.

Jim

[chessie4905]

Driver to passengers."As we have traveled slightly over a hundred miles, we will be stopping to recharge our batteries. We will continue our next 100 mile leg in about 4 to 6 hours. Meanwhile we will be playing reruns of I Love Lucy." 

[Prevost45]

Once the warm fuzzy feeling fades reality sets in...

[DoubleEagle]

I don't see a suntan lotion dispenser for the driver, and all of the seats look awfully thin. How much battery power is used to run the A/C, and how cool is the driver going to be? 

[CrabbyMilton]

"Sorry but we can't show I LOVE LUCY reruns since the DVD player will go dead after 3 minutes.
Hope you have unlimited data on your phones people because the WIFI is now down. We have a few decks of cards...".

[windtrader]

Just in case y'all not kidding about electric, here is a single generic article offering some insight to the probable benefits of electric vehicles.


https://www.forbes.com/sites/constancedouris/2017/10/24/the-bottom-line-on-electric-cars-theyre-cheaper-to-own/


I've been following the evolution and ready to jump on when the right combination of electric and autonomous tech is offered at "value" pricing. Personally, just far too compelling not to seriously consider. When level four is proven and upgradable to five that'll be the tipping point.


For the doubting Thomas types, this article shows clearly the US is on board and moving quickly to adopt electric vehicles.
http://www.ncsl.org/research/transportation/autonomous-vehicles-self-driving-vehicles-enacted-legislation.aspx

[Jim Blackwood]

Considering that we can expect new cars today to have an extended lifespan of 20 years minimum, 25 years to antique status, and at least a 30 year useful life if maintained properly, gasoline and diesel vehicles are going to be with us for awhile yet. None of us who do not want to drive an electric car is likely to be forced into it.

Jim

[windtrader]

Jim,


Exactly. Electric vehicles are at the beginning of the technology adoption curve with decades to before before passing the maturity phase. This thread is about electric but a jog OT is AI. Just stumbled upon the latest from Anthony Levandowski. Drove coast to coast no hands. https://pronto.ai/
Given his track record this is no joke - 5 grand and you can get AI into commercial trucks! Amazing!

[mmanning]

Has anyone in the bus conversion community converted a diesel bus to electric?  Its apparently being done in some circles:  http://easpower.com/electric-trucks-and-buses/

Here's a video the company is the link above shared on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCCw6ZofT-c