FlixBus saves 650–1,040litres of fuel a year with TRAILAR
FlixBus is saving between 650–1,040litres of fuel a year using TRAILAR‘s solar technology.
The coach company is expanding the use of TRAILAR’s flexible solar solutions across long-distance coach operations in multiple global markets. The partnership follows four years of pilots integrating the company’s solar technology into the FlixBus fleet. Designed specifically for road transport, the Solar Solution has proven to reduce CO2 emissions by 1.7t to 2.8t per vehicle, per annum. The pilot vehicles with solar panels observed a decrease in relative fuel consumption by 4.5%, TRAILAR reports.
The TRAILAR pilot coaches were operating on different schedules and routes in Spain, with a significant part of the rides during darker hours as well. TRAILAR calculated relative fuel savings based on the observed electricity generation and fuel consumption of the vehicles with solar panels and comparisons to reference buses on the same routes without solar panels and to the same pilot buses before solar panel installation.
With the observed electricity generated and including a special incentive for Flix partners, an ROI of 1.8 – 2.9 years can be expected.
TRAILAR’s bespoke system reduces the output of a vehicle’s alternator during the drive cycle, decreasing the resistance and drag on the engine, saving fuel and reducing emissions. All data is monitored through the TRAILAR Insights Platform where Utilisation, Solar Production and Battery Management among other KPIs are recorded. This data can then be analysed to provide real life vehicle performance and advice on how to optimise vehicle health and gain the most from the solar solution.
“With the implementation of our TRAILAR Solar Solutions we’ve increased the buses’ electrical efficiency saving an abundance of fuel and contributed to reducing CO2 emissions” – Adam Buckley-Mayes, CTO at TRAILAR
Adam Buckley-Mayes, CTO at TRAILAR, said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Flix to support them in their journey to drive sustainable and affordable travel for everyone. With the implementation of our TRAILAR Solar Solutions we’ve increased the buses’ electrical efficiency saving an abundance of fuel and contributed to reducing CO2 emissions. The system has also brought about operational benefits, as receiving a daily charge through solar means vehicle components operate with less electrical stress, prolonging their life and reducing the number of vehicle breakdowns.”
Flix operating partners can get an enabling incentive aimed at encouraging early adopters on such emission reduction solutions. This is made possible through the Future of Mobility Fund, jointly set up by Flix together with the independent environmental NGO atmosfair to enhance sustainable mobility initiatives and social impact projects in the communities where Flix operates. The Future of Mobility Fund is powered by the climate contributions from both Flix and Flix passengers, who can voluntarily donate when they book their Flix trip – on average, a passenger’s donation equals 1–3% of their fare. This enables Flix customers to actively support projects like the one initiated with TRAILAR, thus playing a concrete role in supporting the experimentation of new decarbonization solutions.