5. Fuel Consumption
The first measurements of fuel consumption were performed during the period January to
August 2008 with pre-blended ED95 imported from Sweden before the ethanol bus operation
had to be suspended due to lack of ED95 fuel supply. During this period a large
measurement error occurred as no automatic flow meter was available to determine the
exact fuel consumption figures.
The fuelling procedure of the ethanol and the reference diesel bus is performed at the
METRA building once per day. It includes the registration of the bus number, the odometer
value as well as the total amount of fuel added to the fuel tank.
The maintenance of the two buses is realized by METRA mechanics in close cooperation
with mechanics from Scania do Brasil. After 10.000 km, a periodic maintenance was
implemented including the replacement of filters, lubricants and some mechanical parts. For
every maintenance, the reason, used replacement parts and the odometer value are
registered in order to evaluate the “Means Kilometers Between Failures” (MKBS).
Table 1 presents a comparison of fuel consumption of the ethanol and the reference diesel
bus during the operation period January to August 2008. Thereby, the reference diesel bus
used the same route and itinerary and showed very similar characteristics with respect to
engine power, weight capacity, gear box transmission and bodywork construction.
Table 1: Comparison of the fuel consumption of the ethanol and the reference diesel bus
(Operation period: January to August 2008)