The 12-metre Plug-in Hybrid Electric Coach (eCoach), the-first-of-its-kind to be designed, developed, and assembled in Hong Kong, can recharge its Lithium Titanate batteries on the fly, thereby fulfiling the busy turnaround cycles required by commercial fleet operators.
As compared to traditional diesel coaches, the eCoach can save at least 40% fuel and reduce 50% emission. Fuel can be further saved if batteries are recharged at the fast-charging stations directly. It only takes 25 minutes to charge up to 80% battery level.
Regulation on roadside emission is becoming stricter. Although pure electric vehicle realises zero-emission, its range and charging performance is not sufficient to support the heavy commercial vehicle operation which has to fulfil busy turnaround cycles.
Automotive Platforms and Application Systems (APAS) R&D Centre was established in 2006 by the Innovation and Technology Commission of HKSAR Government and hosted by the Hong Kong Productivity Council. The Centre undertakes R&D programmes as well as commercialising R&D results in collaboration with industry, universities and technology institutes for the development of the APAS technology. Since its establishment, APAS R&D Centre has carried out over 100 R&D projects and focus on 3 R&D areas, Green Transportation, Smart Mobility and Intelligent Systems. To facilitate greater synergy and further enhance cost effectiveness, APAS is form part of the Hong Kong Productivity Council with effect from 1 Nov 2012.