The bus - New World First Bus unveiled its first environmentally friendly EURO III bus on 10th July 2001. With the capability to perform a highest standard of "Zero Black Smoke", these 29 EURO III buses will be deployed to serve busy corridors in Hong Kong. This very first EURO III bus is deployed to run route No.2 and eventually the whole route will be served with this environmentally friendly bus type.The newly-assembled Sweden Volvo Super Olympian bus, with a body painted with green visuals and message, is powered by EURO III engine, which is the highest environmental standard currently available in the bus manufacture market worldwide. With this state-of-the-art technology, the emission of nitrogen oxides and particulates can be reduced by 31% and 29% respectively, which means that by installing EURO III engines NWFB can help further improve air quality in Hong Kong. The remaining ordered EURO III buses are being phased into service accordingly. In the future, all the newly acquired buses will be equipped with the EURO III green bus engines.

Apart from being powered by EURO III engines, these 12-metre long new air-conditioned double-deck buses are equipped with a built-in CRT catalytic converter. Coupled with the advanced technology of the Volvo Emission Control System - Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR), these buses not only conform to the very stringent EURO III emission standards but with levels as close as EURO IV. In the EGR system, a portion of exhaust gases is cooled and returned to the engine intake, in which they are mixed with fresh inlet air. The cooled exhaust gases help reduce combustion peak temperature in the engine and hence NOx formation. Thus, the lower the temperature, the lower the amount of NOx formed.

The introduction of these environmentally friendly Volvo Super Olympian buses further reduces the average fleet age of NWFB from 11 years in 1998 to only 3 years to date. The air-conditioned double decker buses not only can provide passengers with a more comfortable journey, but also help further improve the air quality of Hong Kong.

NWFB, while committed to improving air quality in the territory, endeavours to promote green awareness among the community. The newly-launched EURO III bus carries on its livery the Company's green visuals and message, making people aware of the introduction of green power into Hong Kong by NWFB. By taking these green rides, passengers are indeed helping conserve the environment. Messages like "Zero Black Smoke Bus" will appear on the electronic destination display of these "green" buses, reminding the passengers the contribution they have made during the green journeys. NWFB also contributed its part to green education by launching its Mobile Gallery, displaying pictures of rare migratory birds that appear in Hong Kong.

The above is extracted from a Press Release on the New World First Bus website.