Our first choice is the natural gas powered version of the Carrus City U built by Carrus Oy Wiima. The bus was chosen because it reflects the current trend towards low emission buses as well as being a fine example of Finnish bodywork.
| Chassis: | Volvo B10L |
| Engine: | Volvo GH10A 245 (10l, 245hp) |
| Transmission: | ZF 4HP500 ZF 5HP500 |
| Length: | 12,4m |
| Width: | 2,55m |
| Model: | Fully low floor |
| Number of seats: | 37 |
| Operators: | HKL |
The bus is based on the Volvo B10L chassis which is completely designed for the needs of urban traffic. The engine used is the natural gas powered Volvo GH10A 245. The engine produces as much power as its diesel equivalent, 245 hp. The bodywork is the newest city body by Carrus, the fully low floored City U. The natural gas powered version is separated from its diesel sisters by a small hump on the roof that houses the gas tanks. The hump has been kept small by lowering the actual ceiling in the front part of the bus by about 30 centimetres and placing the gas tanks below the roof level that is visible outside the bus. Otherwise the bus is identical to the diesel version.
For safety reasons the gas pipe for the engine runs on the outside of the bus on the roof, so that possible leaks will not endanger the passengers. Refuelling a natural gas powered bus takes about 20 minutes. Refuelling stations are available in Pirkkola and Ruskeasuo.
HKL-buses uses its natural gas powered buses mainly on city centre routes. The goal is to have one third (about 120 buses) of the HKL fleet running on natural gas in the next 10-15 years.
Passanger comfort is at the same high level as in the City U. While sitting in the back you can notice the slightly higher pitched engine sound caused by the high revolutions used in gas engines. Starting the gas engine also takes more time than starting a diesel engine (the starter motor runs for several seconds).
HKL bought 12 new City U CNGs in 1999. These new buses have LCD displays and a larger hump that contains one gas bottle more than the older version. The bus pictured on this page is one of these newer buses.
Other versions of this bus: