EW clarifies new bus technology

Environment Waikato has clarified that the new Pavlovich bus used on one of its services drastically cuts emission of fine particles (PM) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx), rather than carbon dioxide (CO2).

The bus, used on the new City Express service between Hamilton CBD and Te Rapa, uses advanced engine combustion design and electronic fuel injection to reduce the PM emissions, and selective catalyst reduction (SCR) technology to reduce the NOx emissions.

The SCR system is urea-based and converts the harmful NOx gas into harmless nitrogen and water.

Based on advice it had received, Environment Waikato had previously reported that the urea-based system cut CO2 emissions to a very low level.

But bus maker Volvo has clarified to Environment Waikato that it is PM and NOx emissions that are reduced from the levels produced by other buses used in Hamilton.

"We appreciate our operator is using technology that reduces harmful emissions and that they are also working to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions generally," said the council's land transport operations manager Bevan Dale.