How Does The City Bus 6115 By Innoson Motor Work? First Locally-made ‘Gas-powered’ Vehicle In Nigeria

Innoson motors have been gaining much-needed popularity and presence in the African automotive market in the past decade. What was formerly constituted as the stigma against locally made automobiles and products is no more, attributing great importance to indigenously made cars. Innoson Motors, being at the forefront of this change, has accumulated quite a number of resourceful lineups of buses, SUVs, and sedans. Their ingenuity and clear-cut expertise have led to innovations in the locally based automotive spectrum, creating such an impact not only in Nigeria but in West Africa.

That is the reason it came as no surprise when it was announced in late 2021 that Innoson Motors was in collaboration with the Nigeria National Petroleum Company for the production of Condensed Natural Energy (CNG) vehicles. It was speculated that the natural gas-powered vehicle would be manufactured exclusively for the NNPC, with Innoson Motors providing only 100 units.

The IVM City Bus was showcased to the world in early 2022, making it the first locally made CNG vehicle in Nigeria. Although OMAA Motors created a similar model later in the year, Innoson was the first to achieve this medium of what is attainable in most countries in the world. It gave a glimpse into the future of not only environmentally friendly vehicles and how they can become a reality in the Nigerian sector but also the possibility of locally manufactured electric cars.

This initiative, although not available, for private usage, is most commendable. The Chairman made mentioned that the IVM City Bus 6115  was proposed so as to elevate what would now be known as the removal of the petrol subsidy by the Federal government. It was a means, not only to go “green” but also to reduce costs and provide an efficient alternative.

What is most fascinating about the IVM City Bus 6115 is its use of both diesel and natural gas-powered engines. Most people are not aware of this cogent fact but Innoson Motors has gone into producing diesel-oriented cars in the past, another push into “making the environment clean and sufficient”. 

You are probably wondering how they were able to achieve this futuristic car, which is not usually available or seen on Nigerian roads. Cars that run on alternative fuel sources are more popular, but the City Bus 6115 offers a fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly, and low-cost alternative to petrol or diesel in times of fuel scarcity in the country.

What essentially makes up the City Bus 6115, and how does it work with condensed natural energy, what does condensed natural gas actually mean, and how is it able to alternate between natural gas and diesel?

Fuel type, Engine Model and Calibration Power 

Vehicles running on compressed natural gas (CNG) operate similarly to those driven by gasoline and are equipped with spark-ignited internal combustion engines. The engine operates similarly to a gasoline engine. In a fuel tank, or cylinder, usually located in the back of the car, natural gas is kept. A pressure regulator lowers the high-pressure gas that is transferred from the fuel tank through the fuel lines by the CNG fuel system so that it is compatible with the engine’s fuel injection system. The fuel is then fed into the combustion chamber or intake manifold, where it is compressed and ignited by a spark plug after being combined with air. The IVM City Bus works in a similar way, but apart from using natural gas alone, there is a possibility of diesel also being used, making it have a bi-fuel engine.

Despite using two different fuels, the bi-fuel system of the IVM City Bus 6115 does not mix the fuels while it is running. The engine can transition between the two so that it is always utilizing the fuel type that is most effective for the current situation. A governor, which automatically shifts between the two fuel types when one of them is more efficient, is used to operate some of these engines.

The engine provides the machine’s operator with complete control over switching between the two fuels. The engine can run on either fuel solely, albeit doing so will result in less efficient operation.

So what can be gotten in regards to the IVM City Bus 6115 is that the engine will start with natural gas as a single fuel source for the time being, but the driver can also and progressively alternate between the other fuel source, which is diesel in this respect.

One of the benefits of the City Bus 6115 is that fuel storage is streamlined. As a result, the system is much more cost-effective to operate over time than a single-fuel engine like one found in a gas car and also allows for sustainability in situations that require the alternative.

As commonly done in the past by Innoson Motors, the engine or part of it was outwardly sourced from countries like Japan, China, and Germany. This was also done for the City Bus 6115. The engine model was rightly generated by Cummins with the base type (C300-200) 8.3L. The engine model utilizes both natural gas and diesel for optimal usage and a calibration power of 221kw.

Interior Section

The 55-seater city bus is one that promises travel luxury and comfort. The city bus can also boast 45 standing spaces. As it was made specifically for the NNPC, it is no wonder it boasts such a large seating capacity. The seats are made of plastic and have a smooth texture. The covering of the seat is furnished with four colours: the headrest with blue(the headrest sporting the Innoson Motors logo and design), the back and part of the seat red, and the middle of the seat black. The seats are arranged in rows of two and three. The handrails for those standing are adorned with yellow.

Exterior Section

The exterior of the City Bus is quite basic and resembles any other bus for transportation. It is furnished in two colours, which are white and dark green. One would think that with the innovations of the bus, the design and styling would match, but it is quite disappointing.

Basic Features

Much is not known about the connectivity or infotainment systems of the City Bus 6115, but it should have at least a working Global Positioning System (GPS) system and tracker. It comes with a fully fitted air conditioner and a radio.

Cargo Section

The IVM City Bus 6115 is meant to carry a lot of cargo, but it is more of a passenger bus. But, there’s a possibility of an allowance for luggage at the back.

Conclusion

The IVM City Bus 6115 is an innovative achievement by Innoson Motors. Although there is room for improvement, especially with the design and they can inculcate a more suitable connectivity system, it gives the purview a look at what they have in store in their lineup. The Chairman has made mentioned the possibility of electric cars in the future. One thing that should be noted is that the durability of the bus cannot be easily accessed, Innoson Motors are known not to make cars that are durable to combat the trials of Nigerian roads, so we would have to wait and see if there is a possibility of review in the future. 

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