Marcopolo Rail, business unit of Marcopolo S.A. specialized in the development and production of Trains, participated in the VLT Seminar – Urban Mobility and Requalification, promoted last May 16, in São Paulo, by the Engineering Institute, and presented its most recent product in development, or Prosper VLT Hybrid. The new vehicle emerges as a sustainable solution for urban and intercity transportation and combines the efficiency of two diesel and electric motors to offer better performance in operation, with environmental preservation and sustainability.
“Marcopolo Rail has the capacity to develop and locally produce railway fashions adapted to the potential demand of the Brazilian and Latin American markets. There are various Brazilian cities, such as Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Sorocaba, among others, studying the implementation of new railway branches, as well as the revitalization of existing branches. Having a modern, sustainable and produced product in Brazil is very important for the growth and consolidation of the national rolling stock industry and its supply chain in the country,” comments Petras Amaral Santos, executive manager of the business unit.
The Prosper Hybrid is a versatile product, offering comfort and safety to users, with modern design and low installation and operation costs. Possui hybrid powertrain, with electric drive motor (generator), Lithium ion batteries, drive conversion and diesel engine, with post-treatment of two exhaust gases.
It can operate bi-directionally, with boarding on a 1.1m high platform and can be produced in metric, standard and long containers, in accordance with the operator client's demand. For greater comfort and safety of users, there is an air-conditioning system with cooling and heating, ergonomic internal armchairs and a complete range of options.
The Prosper Hybrid can be operated in three ways: using only the electric motor, using only the diesel engine and with a combination of two systems. For this, its powertrain has a diesel engine, with a power of 315 kW (at 1,800 rpm), with an SCR exhaust gas after-treatment system, with a urea tank, and an electric motor with a maximum power of 400 kW.
The vehicle features a specially developed starting generator, which can be used as a generator or electric motor, and a frequency converter that regulates the flow of battery power to the motor/generator and vice versa, allowing the mode of operation Seja adapted to the profile given at any time. During braking, kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy and stored in the battery. This stored energy will be reused for starting and movement in 100% electric mode.