Paul Corfield wrote:
On 21 Sep 2006 07:18:03 -0700, "Mizter T"
wrote:

I've been pretty impressed with the experimental hydrogen fuel cell
buses that operate on the RV1 route, which emit only water vapour
[1]. I wonder if that's not the way forward - obviously it would
involve an enormous change of infrastructure, but perhaps there
could be a more comprehensive trial of fuel cell buses in London.
Obviously the cost is a major issue - but TfL has a considerable
level of indirect buying power in that it can specifiy to bus
operators what type of vehicles they use.

[1] http://www.tfl.gov.uk/buses/fuel-cell-buses.asp

Well yes but they are incredibly expensive to purchase and have a
relatively limited operating range. Jolly nice technology but things
have to move on a long way to get them to be economically rational
for operators.

Also, although there is zero pollution on the street with fuel-cell
buses, my understanding is that a lot of energy and/or pollution and/or
fossil fuel is involved in producing the hydrogen, so it will need
better technology to make this a respectable fuel source for the future.

--
Richard J.
(to e-mail me, swap uk and yon in address)

On Thu, 21 Sep 2006 14:43:49 GMT, "Richard J." wrote:

Also, although there is zero pollution on the street with fuel-cell
buses, my understanding is that a lot of energy and/or pollution and/or
fossil fuel is involved in producing the hydrogen, so it will need
better technology to make this a respectable fuel source for the future.

Trolley buses, anyone?

Marc Brett wrote:

Trolley buses, anyone?

How about dual mode (diesel/electric) buses? Whilst they don't prevent
pollution entirely, you can choose to wire high-pollution areas
initially and move towards the whole route over a period of time.

Luke

wrote:
Marc Brett wrote:

Trolley buses, anyone?

How about dual mode (diesel/electric) buses? Whilst they don't prevent
pollution entirely, you can choose to wire high-pollution areas
initially and move towards the whole route over a period of time.

Why subject London to the ugliness of wiring the whole route? Just wire the
bus stops. If a bus goes through several stops without stopping, the diesel
generator would kick in.

On Thu, 21 Sep 2006 14:43:49 GMT, Richard J. wrote:


[...] although there is zero pollution on the street with fuel-cell
buses [...]

What about air-borne dust particles teared off from the road surface by the
wheels, doesn't that count?

--
jhk

Jarle H Knudsen wrote:
On Thu, 21 Sep 2006 14:43:49 GMT, Richard J. wrote:


[...] although there is zero pollution on the street with fuel-cell
buses [...]

What about air-borne dust particles teared off from the road
surface by the wheels, doesn't that count?

No, because...er....because .... oh, yes, the excess water vapour from
the engine would dampen the dust and stop it blowing about. (Phew, that
was a tricky one.)

Anyway, we don't have this problem in London....
http://tinyurl.com/rjgpw

By the way, it's "torn", not "teared". Yes, I know, it's a funny old
language.
:-)

--
Richard J.
(to e-mail me, swap uk and yon in address)