Some time ago, we reviewed the Autotram Extra Grand, the longest bus currently in operation. That begs the question; what’s the shortest bus out there? Well, let’s refine our criteria a little first – we’ll rule out one-off prototypes and home-made hacksaw IH Loadstars (amazing how many are out there…) and focus on production models. That leads us to the bus above – the Technobus Gulliver U520, built by Technobus SPA, of Frosinone Italy.
The Gulliver is a transit bus made specifically for small urban streets, like those found in many European cities. The bus is only 5.3 meters (17.3 ft) long and 2 meters (6.8 ft) wide.
Capacity is 10 passengers seated with an additional 10 standing, for a total of 20.
Powertrain is electric – currently there are three versions; the basic model above was introduced in 1996 and is powered by a lead-acid battery pack which limits range to between 40-60 km. This limited range restricts the bus to very short routes – but the battery pack is on a removable pallet that can be changed out quickly.
Customers desired longer range and air conditioning, which the Base model’s lead acid batteries couldn’t support. In mid-2000’s, Gulliver introduced an updated model with a new lithium-ion battery pack that allowed for A/C and an extended range to around 120 km.
Recently introduced is the latest model which incorporates fuel cell technology that allows a range of over 250 km.
Many European cities have purchased the Gulliver – Rome is currently the largest operator with over 50 of the coaches.
While most sales have been in Europe, Quebec City purchased eight in 2008 for use in its “Old Quebec” district as a free shuttle.
At 17.3 feet, it’s two feet shorter than my 1978 Lincoln Town Coupe (19.3 ft)…
Note: a rerun of an older post. And if you wonder, an even shorter bus was posted a little while later.
Il faudra que j’aille voir ça à Québec .They also have VanHool ‘Mid’ buses ://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1804397932943987&id=215168698533593&set=a.1804395302944250
Gives off robo-taxi vibes
What goes around comes around is the old adage. Streetcars in the late 1800’s in The United States featured battery packs. At the end of the day’s operation, the streetcar returned to the carbarn where the batteries were recharged for the next day’s use. A third-rail system was out of the question for municipalities because of the danger of electrocution as people crossed over them to enter the streetcar. This use of electromotive power is excellent. I have seen the buses in Quebec. Quelle charmante!
For some illogical reason, these are just cool!
It’s amazing how much you can cram into a one box vehicle. Especially with an under floor drive train on top of the forward control layout
These are ripe to become automated. Short runs, low speeds and very predictable routes.
So Gulliver’s travels are only about 100k’s? Hmm, seems about right, for Gulliver was a stark staring loony, who likely went nowhere at all. I’ll explain.
You see, Gulliver’s Travels has many more travels than just to Lilliput, his last one being to the land of the Houyhnhnms – try pronouncing that – who rather resemble horses. It is by far his favorite place, and upon his return, he badly misses them and becomes a depressed recluse, spending most of days at his stables talking to his horses. This, in one of the great comic twists in literature, means that the entire crazy book one has just read is in fact written by a deranged loon! It’s great book, and Swift was a great satirist (and not a little nutty himself).
This bus has some of the quality of a fever dream object, so the name is very apt.
Note the Liverpool version: the Italians clearly said, “Meh, we’ll move the passenger entry to the RHD side, but basta, stuffed if we’re moving the steering wheel too”!