Euro6 Solo and MetroCity’s low carbon accreditation

Optare’s Solo SR and MetroCity with Euro6 115kW diesel engines and Allison 2100 transmissions have gained low carbon accreditation. They are now certified Low Carbon Emissions Buses (LCEB) after passing the Millbrook London Transport Bus test cycle developed by TfL and Millbrook Proving Ground Ltd. Low carbon emission buses are defined by the Government as those producing 30% less emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) than an average Euro3 diesel bus. The testing, developed by the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP), measures GHG emissions from the vehicle and from the fuel production when the bus is carrying its maximum passenger load.

CEO of Optare, Enrico Vassallo, said, ‘The project to achieve this certification began in October 2013. We are extremely pleased to announce the Solo SR and MetroCity are now Low Carbon Emissions Buses. As well as the environmental benefit this development brings, customers will see a return on their investment in the form of reduced ownership costs, such as fuel consumption, within a very short time. Although low carbon emission buses are also significantly more fuel efficient, in 2013 they only accounted for approximately 2% of the UK bus market. We hope that this new development from Optare can contribute to increase the percentage of low carbon buses on UK roads.’