Optare Solo SR
| Optare Solo SR | |
|---|---|
| |
| Years of manufacture | 2007 onwards |
| Length | 7.2 to 9.7 metres |
| Width | 2340 or 2500 millimetres |
| Power/Fuel | Diesel, electric, or hybrid |
The Optare Solo SR is the successor to the Optare Solo low floor midibus. The Solo SR made its debut in 2007 and was offered alongside the traditional Solo as a premium model. At the beginning of 2012, Optare announced the Solo SR will replace the traditional Solo after the fulfillment of current orders.
Like the Solo, the Solo SR has the front axle ahead of the front door and uses a combination stainless and carbon steel integral tubular frame. The Solo SR features a raised and sloped front end, inherited from the Optare Versa. The rear fascia is also taken from the Versa. Both buses share curved passenger windows, which according to Optare, helps mitigate rattles during idling.
Optare introduced a battery-electric version of the Solo in 2009.[1] From 2013, the Solo EV used a 150 kilowatt Magtec P144 electric motor and two packs of 26 iron magnesium phosphate batteries. The bus had a range of 110 to 150 kilometres. It could be charged in approximately six hours by two 7.5 kilowatt on-board chargers connected to a standard commercial three phase supply or in two hours by a 50 kilowatt off-board fast charger.[2]
Beginning in 2020, the Solo EV features a 240 kWh battery capacity allowing for a range of 150 to 190 miles. It uses a 250 kW UQM motor coupled to a two-speed Eaton gearbox. The bus can be charged with a 44 kW integrated on-board charger in approximately 5 hours. A 100 kW remote DC fast charger delivering 88kW is available and charges in approximately 3 hours.
Models
At its launch, the Solo SR was available in two lengths (8.9 and 9.6 metres) and one width (2.5 metres). Additional lengths of 7.1 and 7.8 metres in addition to the SlimLine width of 2.34 metres were introduced in 2012.
| Model number | Length (metres) |
Width (millimetres) |
Propulsion |
|---|---|---|---|
| M7200SE-R | 7.27 | 2340 | Diesel |
| M7900SE-R | 7.97 | 2340 | Diesel |
| M820SR-EV | 8.21 | 2500 | Electric |
| M820SR-H | 8.21 | 2340/2500 | Hybrid |
| M9000SR | 9.01 | 2340/2500 | Diesel |
| M925SR-EV | 9.25 | 2500 | Electric |
| M925SR-H | 9.25 | 2340/2500 | Hybrid |
| M955SR-EV | 9.55 | 2500 | Electric |
| M955SR-H | 9.55 | 2340/2500 | Hybrid |
| M9700SR | 9.71 | 2340/2500 | Diesel |
Specifications
Engine
- Cummins ISBe Euro 5, 6.7 litre, 201 bhp
- Mercedes-Benz OM 904 LA Euro 5, 4.25 litres, 154 bhp (diesel or HEV)
Transmission
Hybrid system
- Siemens 118kW generator , twin 134kW drive motors, Bluways ultracapacitors
Suspension
- Front: 2 air bags and taper leaf spring and Panhard rod
- Rear: 4 air bags on parallel linkage
Axles
- Front: Albion F36
- Rear: Albion 7.20 single reduction hypoid
Brakes
- Wabco PAN17 disc brakes with ABS
Steering
- ZF 8090
- ↑ Plug and go - the new Solo EV, busandcoach.com, retrieved on 2009-06-19
- ↑ Optare demonstrates its leading role in EV bus development at LCV2013. 30 September 2013. Press release. Optare plc.