Surabaya (Antara) - Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) on Sunday launched the first Indonesian electric bus during a Car Free Day at Bungkul Park, Surabaya, East Java. Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini during the launch said that the electric bus has supported and become the part of the Eco-City Program of the East Java's Capital. "The bus has clearly portrayed Surabaya as an Eco-City. Therefore, I will give my support if the ITS' electric bus is made as a mass transport mode in Surabaya," the Mayor said. Head of ITS' Electric Bus Research Team Muhammad Nur Yuniarto said, however, the bus still needed further improvement. "We have conducted feasibility and driving tests. Thus, the electric bus, built by ITS and supported by PT Telkomsel, will be ready to be operating as a college bus on November 30 2014," Yuniarto said. The six meter long and 2.1 meter wide bus is capable to transport 26 passengers. The bus is also installed with solar panels on its roof as an additional energy source, despite adding a sophisticated impression. "The solar panel will supply 20 percent of the energy while the rest comes from the batteries," Yuniarto said. It takes eight to ten hours to fully charged the bus. In such condition, the bus is capable to travel 160km, Yuniarto said. The research team of the ITS had spent Rp1.5 billion to build the bus, sponsored by PT. Telkomsel. Meanwhile, the Rector of ITS Tri Yogi Yuwono said the institute planned to build charging stations in the next one year. Although most of the bus' components such as batteries and electric motors were imported from China, "We are confident to be able to create all of the components by our own in two or three more years," Yuwono said. The electric bus was the fifth creation of ITS after previously in May 2014, the institute launched electric cars named Ezzy ITS 1, Ezzy ITS 2, Braja Wahana, and Sapu Angin Surya. ITS is planning to build one more electric bus funded by PT Pertamina. "Cars, bus or other means of transport powered by electricity is no longer a dream for our country as we are now capable to create them. It only takes the good will of the Government," he said. (*)

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Editor : Masuki M. Astro


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