Repsol and Castrosua develop and manufacture the first Hybrid Urban Bus entirely in Spain

Tempus Autogas saves up to 40% on fuel and reduces NOx and CO2 emissions.

Repsol and bus manufacturer Castrosua have launched the first hybrid urban bus with an electric/Autogas engine. The new vehicle, manufactured entirely in Spain, was jointly developed by the R+D departments of the two Spanish companies, and was launched during the FIAA (International Bus and Coach Show), held in Madrid from 23rd-26th October 2012. The new hybrid Tempus Autogas was one of the main innovations launched at the event and is at the forefront of urban public transport vehicles, offering significant environmental and economic benefits. The launch was attended by Repsol's LPG product manager José Manuel Hernández Carrero, Repsol's LPG business development manager Eduardo Romero Palazón, the president of Castrosua José Castro Suárez and the CEO of Castrosua Juan Luis Castro Rodríguez.   During his presentation, Mr Romero stressed that this is a development made entirely in Spain, by Spanish industries, and that this very strong partnership will guarantee demand for this type of bus in the market from the Castrosua side and, from the Repsol side, will guarantee LPG supply including storage and adapted dispensers according to customer needs throughout the Iberia geographical area.  Mr Romero also stressed the benefits of LP Gas as being cheap, easy and accessible to all fleets sizes. The new hybrid version of the Tempus Autogas incorporates technology from General Motors and Siemens and the latest in urban bus driving technology and comfort. Tempus is a Hybrid bus powered by an electrical engine supplied by a battery and associated with an LPG power generator. The battery is recharged by a thermal engine running on Autogas and can also be plugged into mains electricity for recharging.  This system allows the driver to disconnect the LPG generator using exclusively the battery supplying the power for the electrical engine and having the possibility of operating in areas with environmental constraints, where very low emissions are imposed.  Alternatively, the driver can switch on the LPG generator and in this way the batteries will be charged and at the same time as the generator will supply the energy for the electrical engine.  The autonomy of the bus exclusively with batteries is 60 km and in total, with the generator, is 300 km. The bus speed is limited to 60 km /h.  The Tempus bus will be presented in versions from 9,6m until 11,6m length.          The technology used in the Tempus Autogas enables fuel savings of up to 40% compared to conventional vehicles, depending on the route the vehicle takes and its operating level. It is also cuts down on noise and releases significantly fewer NOx, and particularly CO2,  emissions, as shown in tests adopting the methodology used in the Climate Project by the Spanish Climate Change Office at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and the Environment.  Along with urban air quality improvements and fuel savings, the hybrid Tempus Autogas urban bus offers the latest in driving technology and passenger comfort. The advantages of the new electric-Autogas hybrid urban passenger vehicle provide an opportunity for governments in their ongoing efforts to achieve sustainable urban transport and to lower operating costs. The Tempus Autogas brings both features together, putting it in a position to receive government subsidies of up to 30,000 Euros per vehicle. The city of Valladolid in Spain has the first Tempus in service and following the successful launch during FIAA, several Spanish communities with hard environmental restrictions are very enthusiastic about this fantastic and innovative alternative.         About Autogas Automotive LPG, or Autogas, is present in a high percentage of natural gas wells. It is the most widely used alternative fuel in the world. Autogas completes Repsol's range of high tech, efficient and sustainable fuels. Autogas is more economical than the traditional fuels. It is cleaner, contributing to the improvement of air quality with its low particles and nitrous oxide emissions, and its low CO2 emissions help minimise the greenhouse effect. It also drives smoothly, quietly and without vibrations. LPG can be transported safely as a liquid at very low pressures and its filling and storage systems do not require special infrastructure. They can therefore be located in urban environments without the need for extra space or safety measures. The cost of storage and supply equipment is thus drastically reduced (up to 50 times lower than other gases requiring high pressure compression). There is no need for high pressure tanks (expensive and complex), lowering costs and reducing non-effective transport weight.  See the dedicated Autogas section of the WLPGA website at  http://www.worldlpgas.com/autogas.   For more information contact the Repsol Communications Department: comunicacion.imagen_GLP@repsol.com www.repsol.com