In order to ride on the crest of the technology wave, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has been embarking on a number of trials and test-bedding programmes on new green transport technologies. For example, in February this year, the LTA has began a trial on the use of Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) on a range of diesel-driven vehicles, including some SBS Transit buses, to test out their efficacy in reducing fine particulate matter emissions.
Fuel cell vehicles have zero pollution at the tailpipe. For instance, vehicles powered by the hydrogen fuel cell do not emit any CO2, SO2 and NOX (nitrogen and oxygen compounds). While fuel cell technology, when adopted on a commercial basis, can potentially translate to significant reduction in vehicular emissions, the cost of using the nascent technology is still very high.
The collaboration between SBS Transit and local and foreign academics, as well as foreign bus manufacturers to test out new technologies in our local context is a step in the right direction.
To encourage other private sector players to also come forward to drive innovation in the land transport sector, LTA has also provided partial financial support for the development of this fuel cell bus through the Land Transport Innovation Fund.
Diesel hybrid buses are set to make an impact as well. These buses are able to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by converting energy normally wasted in braking into electricity and using it to help power the vehicles. These buses can achieve up to 30% reduction in fuel consumption and lower emissions compared to conventional diesel buses.
Besides the one diesel hybrid bus in action today, they understand that SBS Transit is planning to put one more of such buses on our roads. If this technology is found to be suitable for our local context, we can expect to see even more of such green buses running on our roads in the near future.
Publisher: Law Tong Ye Matthew Edward
Source: Speech by Mr Gan Juay Kiat
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