Scania is one of the world's leading manufacturers of buses and coaches for sustainable transport solutions. Scania operates in more than 100 countries and has more than 52 000 employees in about 100 countries, our sales and service network is strategically placed where our customers need us, no matter where they operate.
Research and development activities are concentrated to Sweden. Production takes place in Europe and South America, with facilities for global interchange of components as well as complete vehicles. A growing proportion of Scania's business consists of service-related products and financing.
Nottingham is introducing the world's largest fleet of gas-fuelled double-decker buses. By 2020, the city intends to operate more than 120 biogas-fuelled buses.
According to Tales of Yore, Nottinghamshire legend Robin Hood clad himself in Lincoln green. That's a decision he might reconsider today as Nottingham is in the process of introducing the world's largest fleet of double-deck dedicated gas-powered Scania buses into service. In terms of their green credentials, these vehicles are set to deliver enormous benefits to the citizens of Nottingham and far beyond!
Nottingham is a vibrant centre of commerce. Myriad small firms are based in the area, and there is a thriving academic scene. No wonder, then, that more than 300,000 people have chosen to make Nottingham their home, a figure which swells to in excess of 1.5 million in the wider metropolitan area.
But with success comes challenges, and in common with other leading towns and cities Nottingham has its fair share of congestion and pollution. Helping to alleviate the problems is Nottingham City Transport, the local authority-owned bus company which fulfils a total of 50 million passenger journeys a year on its extensive network of routes around the city and surrounding boroughs.
Nottingham City Transport has long enjoyed a reputation for innovation, including pioneering the use of alternative fuels in urban bus operations, the latest incarnation of which is dedicated gas power. A total of 53 Scania double-deck buses will be introduced into service during 2017/18.
South America is home to its fair share of high altitude cities, and anyone who has ever been a place that sits at more than 2,400 metres above sea level will tell you how difficult it can be to adapt to the thinner air. The oxygen levels are lower and that can leave you short of breath and tired; your body is not 'performing' at its optimum level.
Indeed, in 2009, the much-fancied Argentina football team lost 6-1 to Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier, in large part because they hadn't prepared for the challenge of playing in La Paz at a height of 3,600 metres above sea level. The team was unable to perform at its optimum level.
The same basic principle applies to naturally-aspirated engines. The thinner air at higher altitudes means the engine can't get as much air into it, so it can't create enough power.
But a recent study by the National University of Colombia has found that Scania's Euro 6 gas bus can perform with the same effectiveness at high altitudes as it does at sea level. That's great news for Scania and for Colombia's capital Bogotá, which is 2,700 metres above sea level. For, earlier in 2016, Scania concluded a deal to supply Euro 6 gas buses to Masivo Capital, one of the operators of Bogotá's Transmilenio Bus Rapid Transit system.
The university's testers conducted several demanding trials of the bus, in Bogotá and also in Colombia's second city, Medellin (1,500 metres above sea level). They measured the starting capability of the bus on steep slopes, its performance in heavy traffic, its fuel consumption and the pollutant emissions of Euro 6 technology. In all of the tests the bus maintained its high performance level without losing power and torque, and was cleaner into the bargain.
"It's great to get this independent validation of the Euro 6," says Thomas Åkerblom, who between 2010 and 2014 was manager of the Euro 6 engine development group, before moving into his current role of Group Manager for Engine Strategy Otto.
So why does it perform so well? Åkerblom explains.
"Whereas naturally-aspirated engines can't take in enough air to generate sufficient power, the turbocharger in the engine of the Euro 6 gas bus provides a boost that brings back the same pressure into the cylinder as it does at sea level; what is lost due to the altitude is compensated for by the extra 200 to 400 millibars boost in pressure.
The sustainability aspect is addressed by the use of a Lambda 1 three-way catalyst system, such as has been used in cars for many years. A three-way catalytic converter has the advantage of controlling the emission of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide. While a lean-burn engine with aftertreatment might provide better fuel consumption, it's more complicated, more expensive, and not as robust as a Lambda 1-fitted engine.
All of which should be of great interest not only to Colombia (Scania has already delivered Euro 6 buses to Bogotá and the coastal city of Cartagena de Indias), but to other high altitude cities in South America and beyond.
"We developed the Euro 6 with Europe and the required emissions standards in mind, but we know that it should work well in different qualities of gas and different environments worldwide – it's the right way to go; it's a robust gas product," says Åkerblom.
Estonian-based coach operator Lux Express continues to challenge the passenger car as the preferred mode of travelling around the Baltic countries and beyond to Poland and Russia. With 2.1 million passengers in 2016 and a fleet of more than 100 high-end Scania Irizar coaches, Lux Express excels in comfort, frequency and on time performance.
This business orientation has proved highly successful and Lux Express has become the preferred choice in regional travel. Rail networks and services have been upgraded but cannot compete in comfort, frequency and city-centre stations.
With the aim to develop services, logistics, technology and customer communications, Lux Express continues to attract more passengers. Looking ahead, the management is examining how to continue appealing to a coming generation of passengers.
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