JBM Auto, the latest entrant in the Indian Bus Market and the flagship company of the JBM Group, has launched "Citylife" ultra low floor CNG Bus in partnership with the Italian Bus Maker BredaMenarini-bus. Expanding the portfolio, JBM launched a 100 percent electric bus "Ecolife", in partnership with with Solaris. Solaris Bus and Coach, a family-owned company in Poland, is a leading manufacturer of city buses, trams, and trolley buses servicing 30 countries through its products.

JBM is offering two versions of Ecolife bus in 9 mtr and 12 mtr length. Ecolife bundles the technical advances made in Europe with first-in-class luxurious features. 

The Ecolife is a zero emission vehicle (ZEV) as it is powered by lithium batteries, which are fast charging through pantograph, and runs 150-200 km in 10-15 hours of city bus operation. This vehicle can also run on plug in charging. The electric bus technology is adaptable to city bus operation depending on demographic and geographic conditions. 

JBM SOLARIS ECOLIFE AT AUTO EXPO 2016 DELHI

The Citylife range which was initially offered as a CNG variant is now available in diesel as well. JBM is scheduled to deliver around 105 buses CityLife CNG buses for the Noida - Greater Noida region in April. The bus will be manufactured at the company facility at Kosi in Uttar Pradesh, which has an annual capacity to produce 2,000 buses. The Key features of the bus include a monocoque construction matching European Standards for Safety in case of front/side collision and rollover accidents. With a fuel tank capacity of 265 litres, the Citylife diesel has an independent front suspension (IFS) that will ensure a stress free ride for the passengers. To boost passenger and safety and comfort, Citylife diesel will have cantilever seats and armrests, ensuring more room for standing passengers.

CityLife CNG has received very good response from the market and JBM is going to deliver the first tranche very soon. However JBM have received enquiries for a diesel bus with the same comfort of CityLife CNG as CNG is not available in all cities in India. The company's new offering Citylife diesel is to meet this demand. The bus is powered by a 6.7 L Cummins ISBe 285 40 diesel engine producing a power of 281 HP @2300 rpm, and of Torque - 1035 Nm @ 1200 - 1700 rpm. 

First seen in Bus World 2015 Kortrijk, Scania Citywide is India's first biofuel powered commercial bus and comes with low floor and low entry for better and greater passenger flow and comfort. The bus is compatible with all commercially available biofuels complying with with Bharat Stage (BS) 4, Euro 5 and Euro 6 norms. It is believed countries that the use of biofuels in public transport improves air quality, reduces CO2 emission and makes city cleaner and smarter. With the Citywide bus launch in India, Scania moves a step closer towards realising a sustainable transport system in the country. 

Acknowledgements : Motor India 

Pic Courtesy : Prakash Body Constructions, Nagaon (Assam), India

Ashok Leyland introduced its Hybrid Bus called "Hybus" at Auto Expo 2016 held at Delhi, India. Being Hybrid, Hybus helps reduce emissions, and offers significant efficiencies in operating costs. Especially designed for urban transport with start-stop cycles, ultracapacitors provide the diesel motor with necessary power for movement. This environment consicious vehicle combines international standards of comfort and convenience, and offers a bus in a class of its own. With no clarity on how the next wave of buses would be, Ashok Leyland is pushing itself to offer various options and whichever product granulates that can be taken forward. 

Hybus uses ultracapacitors to store energy Unlike batteries this is stored electrostatically on the surface of the material and does not involve chemical reactions. Given their fundamental mechanism, ultracapacitors can be charged quickly, leading to a very high power density, and do not loose their storage capabilities over time. Ultracapacitors can last millions of charge / discharge cycles without losing energy storage capability. Also it charges much quickly making it more sensible to charge when the buses are stopping in bus stops. Though the energy density is much lower than batteries for for a duty cycle like city buses, ultracapacitors or supercapacitors may be a choice. 

Acknowledgements : Motor India 

Pic Courtesy : Prakash Body Constructions, Nagaon (Assam), India. 

With BS4 yet to hit Pan India, and many truck variants yet to be migrated to BS4, Ashok Leyland showcased a Euro 6 Tractor, 4940. The product was an eye catcher at Auto Expo for two reasons - it is the first indigenously developed Euro 6 Truck in India and it came at a time when Mr Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transports and Highways and Shipping announced that India would leapfrog to Euro 6 emissions norms by 2020. By 2020, approx $5 billion is expected to be invested by oil companies. Not only with these companies but a high level of technological upgradation is required in auto manufacturing as well. Ashok Leyland was in the forefront when emission levels were upgraded in the past. With its indigenous technology the company was able to achieve this again and again and now has come up with the Euro 6 version of its flagship engine range Neptune. An 8 Litre engine producing 400 HP and 1600 Nm of torque is the engine of the talk here and that is powering the 4940 Euro 6 Tractor. 

Acknowledgements : Motor India 

Pic Courtesy : Prakash Body Constructions, Nagaon (Assam)

TATA Motors, India's largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, launched its new SIGNA range of medium & heavy commercial vehicles. Offered in various configurations, the SIGNA range of CVs is engineered and built to offer medium & heavy commercial vehicle buyers a newly-designed cabin with proven Tata motors aggregates, for a world class trucking experience. The three variants showcased were the SIGNA 4923.S tractor, the SIGNA 3118.S multiaxle truck and the SIGNA 2518.K tipper.

With its smartly designed cabin space, improved ergonomics and NVH levels, the SIGNA range of cabins are built to offer a superior in-cab experience, enabling drivers to operate fatigue free over long hauls, which in turn offers significant improvement in productivity. With an in built telematics system by TATA FLEETMAN, the new SIGNA range empowers fleet operators with a more connected experience to better manage their transport business through optimum driving, vehicle and fuel management. 

Acknowledgements : Motor India 

Pic Courtesy : Prakash Body Constructions, Nagaon, Assam (India)

Reiterating its commitment towards the environment and reducing carbon emissions, TATA Motors showcased the 12 mtr TATA Starbus Hybrid at the Auto Expo 2016. 

The TATA Starbus Hybrid upholds one of the TATA Motors core values of developing environment friendly and efficient products, and technology leadership in the CV Space. The Starbus Hybrid is the future of rapid urban mass transportation system, with a signature single deck design comprising two rigid sections linked by a pivoting joint. The vehicle is a full low floor 40mm bus that goes 340mm after kneeling. 

The TATA Hybrid Starbus offers substantial improvement in fuel economy compared to a conventional bus. The technology also leads to lower emissions, thereby contributing to cleaner and greener air. 

The vehicle uses CNG & electric in series hybrid mode, to propel the vehicle that complies with all UBS-II (Urban Bus Specifications), AIS 051 (Automotive Industry Standards), and CMVR (Central Motor Vehicle Rules). The vehicle works on an Electric Mode producing Zero Emissions, while the CNG Mode is BS 4 compliant. The bus is based on a modular chassis, with elctronically controlled air suspension systems (ECAS) at the front & rear, electronically controlled braking systems and an automatic transmission. The Starbus Hybrid also uses new generation lithium ion phosphate batteries (Prismatic Cell).

Pic Courtesy : Prakash Body Constructions Limited, Nagaon (Assam), Gurpreet Singh Sehmi

Acknowledgements : Prakash Body Constructions, Nagaon (Assam)

TATA Motors has constantly endeavored to bring technologically rich products to its customers and end users. With this in mind, TATA Motors introduced the TATA Ultra-Electric Bus at the Auto Expo 2016. With complete electric drivetrain and zero emissions, TATA ULTRA Electric Bus ensures low NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) for comfort of the passenger.

Built on the popular TATA ULTRA Platform, the TATA ULTRA ELECTRIC BUS is based on the convenience of Urban commuters. The vehicle dimensions and the seating capacity make a perfect combination for staff, school and general city transportation.

With a wide passage way for free movement, wider window panes better visibility along with Super Low Floor (SLF) of 650 mm, vehicle boasts of a safe and convenient transport for commuters to enjoy public transportation. It also ensures fatigue free driving with no clutch and gear shifting required. 

Pic Courtesy : Prakash Body Constructions Limited, Nagaon (Assam), Gurpreet Singh Sehmi

These buses are fitted with CCTV Cameras, an Intelligence Transport System (ITS) for public information, through GPS via electronic destination display boards, indicating expected time of arrival at bus stops and route announcements within the bus. 

These buses will enhance operational efficiency for State Transport Units (STU's), with new generation Telematics for efficient and user friendly vehicle maintenance and tracking. Through this feature operators can also moderate and redesign the frequency of buses on every route. 

With Plush Interiors lightings and LED tail-lamps, TATA ULTRA ELECTRIC have been designed with enhanced stylish interiors and exteriors. These buses will also come with utility provisions such as charging points and WiFi Hotspot for on the go connectivity. 

PBC (Prakash Body Constructions) Limites, Nagaon, Assam - A premier hub of Bus Body Building in India opened its premiere showroom of automobile parts and accessories for LMV segment on 13th February 2016 at its Nagaon premises.

I am greatful to Mr Gurpreet Singh Sehmi Ji who invited me to attend the Inauguration Ceremony at PBC. Here are some pictures of the event through my lens :