Voith Transit Bus Transmission Tech Yields Strong Fuel Efficiency Gains

0

Voith GmbH, one of the world's largest multi-faceted engineering companies, recently completed field tests of its SensoTop transmission technology in a number of transit bus fleets, and the results showed that the fuel savings resulting from the Voith platform reacged as high as 7%.

The company performed the testing in Minneapolis; Salt Lake City; Austin, Texas; Lancaster, Pa.; Portland, Ore.; and San Mateo County, Calif. These tests were conducted over several weeks, and each fleet experienced fuel savings between 3% and 7%. Savings of over 12% were realized in Minneapolis during one week of testing.

SensoTop is an updated version of the software used to control Voith's DIWA.5 transmission, the company says. When combined with a maintenance-free inclination sensor that Voith has added to its ECU, the software allows the transmission to automatically adapt gear-shifting points based on acceleration, vehicle load and the topography of the route.

‘Can a transmission really save you money? As these tests have shown, the answer is a resounding 'yes,'’ says Brian Sharp, sales manager for the DIWA product line. ‘What's most impressive about these tests is that SensoTop achieves savings on diverse topographies and routes – both mountainous and flat, and those with frequent and infrequent stops.’

SensoTop, which has been approved for use with all Cummins engines, is available as a retrofit option accompanying all existing Voith DIWA.5 transmissions, and the technology will be offered on new buses this year.

About 250,000 buses worldwide use Voith automatic transmissions.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments