The Quiet, Fuel Efficient and Clean City Bus: Presentation of The Whisper Bus, Test Results and Test Drive

APELDOORN, the Netherlands, September 23 -- The prototype of the Whisper bus, its test results as well as the results of the TNO-study on the performance of the durable city bus from the town of Apeldoorn will be presented at a press conference on Tuesday, September 28, at 10:45 a.m. After the press conference there will be an opportunity to test drive a second bus, which is driven by a wheel hub motor. The 800,000 Euros prototype took 18 months to build.

At the end of 2003, The Whisper was expected to start circulating the regular bus route of the town of Apeldoorn by the beginning of 2004. This was delayed for a number of reasons. The availability of the TNO-results will now make it possible to see how the project is developing.

Preview

VDL Berkhof, Connexxion, the city of Apeldoorn and e-Traction are partners in the Whisper-project. The province of Gelderland has provided financial assistance to the project. The Whisper, which is now only being used for test runs and as a prototype, will be improved in the upcoming months, so it can be used during regular bus service for a couple of months. At the same time, test buses are being developed for preproduction. This development will allow the partners to completely take over the project and have less interference from the local and regional government.

The Whisper

The bus has a revolutionary driving mechanism that uses electrical wheel hub motors. The Whisper charges itself at night using the electricity grid. During the day, this grid is being replenished by a diesel generator. Electricity is also being regained every time the bus brakes.

This bus does not only have a lot of benefits compared to regular buses, but also compared to other environmentally friendly initiatives in the field of public transportation. Not only is The Whisper much more fuel efficient and therefore a lot cleaner, it is also significantly quieter. And what's more, the driving mechanism can be used in existing buses as well.

    
    Schedule

    The press conference schedule is as follows:

    10:45 a.m. Welcome Reception
    11:00 a.m. Welcome speech by the project manager
    11:05 a.m. Presentation state of affairs and test results
    11:20 a.m. Presentation of 'The Whisper' and test drive in e-Tractionbus,
    for guests
    11:40 a.m. Q&A Session
    12:00 a.m. End of press conference

The meeting takes place on Tuesday, September 28 at 10:45 a.m. at e-Traction, the inventor of the bus engine. Address: Vissenstraat 36, 7324 AL in Apeldoorn.

Would you like to attend this meeting? Please contact Reinoud Roukema, Project manager The Whisper, phone +31-55-506-36-14 or send an e-mail to r.en.s.advies@wanadoo.nl. There will be ample opportunity for press photographers and camera crews to film and take pictures of the buses during and after the test drive.

Reinoud Roukema, project manager The Whisper, telephone +31-55-506-36-14 or e-mail: r.en.s.advies@wanadoo.nl