When it comes to green innovation, energy and other technologies involving vehicle mechanics, the Chinese do not disappoint.
This is the hard fact that the international media came away with from the just concluded international fair for buses and coach companies held in Shanghai, China.
The
Busworld Asia event, of which
Alrroya.com was one of the media partners, gave China an opportunity to showcase its progress in new energy vehicle engineering, as the country stamps its market superiority in technical development of the automobile industry.
“There’s greater need in the world right now to develop and adopt the new energy transport systems, in light of the current volatility of gas prices,” said Mike Weston, the Operations Director of London Bus Services.
Weston cited a recent study done by the
American Public Transportation Association (APTA) which predicted that many more people would be forced to use public transportation if the gasoline prices continue to increase.
The APTA statistics reveal that if regular gas prices reach $4 a gallon in the US, more than 670 million passengers would resort to using public means for their transportation.
“We must make significant, long-term investments in public transportation or we will leave many people with limited travel options,” APTA president William Millar was quoted as saying, adding, “and public transport is the quickest way for people to beat high gas prices if it is available.”
International media visits China’s car-manufacturing hub
Chinese automakers are incorporating western technology to build their vehicles, but they are faster re-emerging as leaders of innovation while paying witness to local ingenuity and research and development (R&D) technologies to power their vehicles.
The international media team visited one such pioneering company in the Hefei City in China which was the first enterprise for electric vehicles in the country.
Anhui Ankai Automobile, manufacturer of high, mid range, large and mid-sized luxury buses and bus chassis has been cooperating with many domestic and international research institutions with regard to production, since 2003.
“As a result, Ankai has been able to develop many kinds of new energy buses that meet international standards and specifications,” Wang Jiang'an, Ankai’s Board Chairman, told visiting reporters.
Ankai’s energy saving applications involves three types of technologies. The new energy combines pure electric, hybrid and fuel cell technology, while the alternative energy incorporates methanol and other bio-fuels, Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Liquified Natural Gas (NLG).
“With 10 years’ technology accumulation, Ankai developed third generation Electric Vehicle (EV) bus, whose power train is battery plus super capacitor,” added Jiang’an.
Ankai’s Plug-In Hybrid coach jointly developed with US EDI Company conforms to US standard and will soon be mass-manufactured for the US market.
George Li, the head of International Business Department revealed that Ankai’s industrial target plan is to produce over 3,000 units of new energy buses by the year 2012, for both local and mass export to overseas market.
“As the first Chinese new energy bus manufacturer to penetrate the highest stage of global bus industry, Ankai has proved its leadership in sustainability motoring,” Li added.
While demonstrating the operating mechanics of Ankai’s star innovation, Li said; “The EV bus is a very important milestone for Ankai. The monocoque body structure not only assures its safety, but also simplifies layout of battery pack. The smart assembly of control system based on fibre optic technology assures stability and safety during operation.”
New engine innovations address sustainability concerns
At the Busworld Asia exhibition, pioneering companies in the field of bus and coach engines also showcased their respective technologies that address sustainability concerns. Companies displaying new engine innovations included Isuzu, Fiat Hino, DAF, Xichai and Cummins.
“Low energy consuming and polluting car models are becoming the new market leader. This is catalysing a growing market need for higher efficiency vehicle motors,” said Li.
“Following the trial introduction of “National 4” and “Euro V” emission standards, the passenger bus sector is entering into a new round of technological innovation and restructuring,” the executive added.
According to the East Asian country’s 2020 goals outlined by the
Chinese Academy of Sciences’ (CAS), the authorities plan to invest 2 trillion yuan in railways by 2020, while building a fleet of state-of-the-art trains. China also plans to build 13,000 km of high-speed rail lines by 2012, more than the rest of the world combined.
“Developing new energy vehicle has a significant, practical and strategic meaning for China, as the country prepares to invest $1.5 trillion in strategic areas, including alternative fuel cars, alternative energy, high speed rail, energy efficiency and other environmentally friendly technologies,” CAS states.
Confronted by energy crisis and global climate change, the world’s attention has now moved to energy saving and reduction of carbon emmission. The Chinese government started electric bus project in 2001, to help the country “get better during the competition of world-wide automobile industry,” according to Ankai’s Chairman Jiang'an.
China has already surpassed many of the targets it set in 2007 and Premier’s Wen Jiabao’s government is expected to unveil new ambitious targets for alternative energy in the next few months.
The successful event was organized by
VNU Exhibitions Asia, a joint investment Chinese venture, which is a member of internationally renowned events and exhibitions organizing group.
Consider also reading:
‘Green’ race for automakers at Dubai fair
Busworld Asia seeks to break new ground in transport sector
Passenger bus sector embraces green technology
Dubai earmarks $800m for transport schemes
BAE Systems debuts unique hybrid technology in UAE
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