The number of gas-fueled buses in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area will increase when Scania delivers two new gas buses to the bus company Helsingin Bussiliikenne at the beginning of 2019. New-generation gas buses are the most cost-effective way to reduce carbon dioxide and local emissions from urban transport. In the future there will be even more alternatives available for cleaner transport as the EU will set the minimum targets for the public sector’s clean vehicles procurement.
Two new gas buses will start service in Helsinki Metropolitan Area public transport at the beginning of 2019. Gas buses are the most cost-effective way to reduce carbon dioxide and local emissions from urban transport.
”Gas buses are used extensively in areas such as Sweden and Central Europe, and demand for clean public transport is also growing in Finland. Encouraged by the positive experiences of other cities, we decided to order new-generation gas buses to also meet the demanding needs of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area,” says Technical Director Michael Andersson of the Koiviston Auton Group who was in charge of the procurement.
There are around 2,300 gas-fueled buses in Sweden and the total figure for Europe is around 17,000. The number is increasing across Europe. Up to 85% of alternatively-powered buses are fueled by gas, which makes gas currently more common than electricity as a fuel.
The buses now procured feature modern Euro 6 emission standard engines. Their operating range is almost the same as that of diesel buses.
”We’re very happy that Helsingin Bussiliikenne wants to take concrete action to cut transport emissions and gain first-hand experience in the new Euro 6 technology. This investment also has a big impact overall on our national economy through our Finnish body manufacturing industry,” Scania Sales Manager Ilkka Korpela comments on the new-generation gas buses.
”Gas buses are an excellent opportunity for cities and municipalities to implement the circular economy as waste generated by cities and municipalities can be used in fuel production for these buses. For example, the amount of biogas produced in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area each year would fuel almost 1,000 buses. At the same time, various transport emissions would be reduced considerably,” Jani Arala, Senior Manager, Sales, from Gasum points out.
The EU will set minimum targets for the public sector's procurement of clean vehicles in the future. This will further emphasize the opportunities offered by road fuel gases and increase the demand for gas buses in Europe.
