Hybus: Pininfarina unveils its first hybrid bus

Pininfarina has revealed its first hybrid bus, a move by the designer/manufacturer aimed at continuing to spread hybrid technology applied to public transport, fighting pollution in large cities. In fact, the Hybus is a project originally intended for the city of Turin.

The Hybus is basically a former modified Iveco bus made to accommodate a small 1.3-litre diesel engine that will act as a generator for the batteries, and the two Magneti Marelli electric motors mounted on the rear axle.

It seems that estimates indicate that converting diesel buses to hybrid-electric is much more cost-effective than purchasing a new unit with hybrid technology. Roughly 60% savings if the conversion is carried out alone. An interesting figure for those transport companies that are running the numbers and calculations for the future.