CVRAS approval for Eminox system has been gained; starts with Elite and later to Leopard, Panther
Plaxton and Eminox have concluded work on what they describe as “a bespoke system” that will allow Elite-bodied Volvo B9R coaches with the Euro 5 D9B engine to be upgraded to fully-certified Euro 6 emission levels.
Extended trials have validated the retrofit system as one that will satisfy London’s coming Ultra Low Emission Zone, which comes into force on 8 April, and the other clean air zones and low emission zones that are expected to spread throughout the UK.
Fully approved
Eminox’s B9R-mounted SCRT kit is approved by the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS) and Eminox will issue an installation certificate with every system as part of the customer handover process.
The two parties say that while Eminox’s unit is bespoke to the Panther-bodied B9R, it has also been developed to capture other Plaxton coaches built on the B9R Euro 5 chassis, such as the Leopard and Panther.
Eminox is currently the only CVRAS-approved supplier of Euro 6 retrofit equipment for coaches. Such accreditation of both the equipment OEM and the aftertreatment system is mandatory if the coach is to be recognised as a Euro 6 compliant vehicle.
Boost for used
Martin Dunleavy, General Manager of Used Bus and Coach Sales at Plaxton parent Alexander Dennis, says: “These trials have been an overwhelming success and we look forward to taking the product further.
“The outcome also represents a real boost for the second-hand coach market as many operators have been caught in a quandary about writing off perfectly good coaches, or investing in full-price new models. Now they have a meaningful, cost-efficient option.”
Adds James Thorpe, Eminox UK Sales Manager: “Our commitment to developing systems for the coach industry continues in 2019. We understand the demands from the market and we can provide a cost-efficient solution for operators to meet Euro 6 emissions standards with ADL Plaxton.”
CVRAS says that there are “a number” of other coach retrofit approvals in process.
