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The GMI Gemini is a "supercharged" midibus and minibus jointly developed by GMI (Green Mobility Innovations) and Siemens in Hong Kong. It is the first ever diesel-electric hybrid minibus to be introduced to Hong Kong.
Design[]
Green Mobility Innovations Ltd, a Hong Kong-based research company, has developed the GMI Gemini, a hybrid minibus that suits the local minibus operating environment. The GMI Gemini, which can be recharged while travelling without the need for a charging device, saves 40-50% of fuel and emits less emissions than the Euro V environmentally friendly diesel buses. The batteries are made by Otai in the United States, which is better than the Chinese-made batteries used in electric buses in the market in terms of life and reliability.
The GMI Gemini is similar in appearance to the ‘sixth generation’ Toyota Coaster 6.99 metre minibus on the market, with a Chinese-made minibus chassis and a Siemens-branded drive system. The hybrid minibus is assembled in the Mainland and the power system is installed at the Tuen Mun factory in Hong Kong. The hybrid minibus consists of a diesel engine, a Siemens ELVA 108kW electric motor and a lithium iron phosphate battery, making it a "series hybrid minibus".
The lithium-ion battery of the hybrid minibus is powered entirely by a diesel generator, with no external charging device. The motor is powered by the lithium-ion battery during starting and running. If the battery level drops to a specified level, the diesel generator will automatically charge the battery until the battery level rises above the specified level. As the power comes from the built-in diesel generator, the minibus only needs to replenish the diesel at petrol filling stations as in the case of conventional vehicles, and does not need to stop at terminals or charging stations as in the case of purely electric vehicles, thus avoiding any reduction in operational efficiency. When the minibus stops or brakes, the power generated by the brakes can be fed back to the battery. This means that although the vehicle is not zero-emission, it already consumes half the fuel of a conventional diesel vehicle. The manufacturer has conducted a trial using the first-generation model on New Territories green minibus route 44 and achieved a fuel consumption of 11.4 litres per 100 kilometres, compared to 20 litres of diesel for the same distance travelled by a conventional diesel minibus.
GMI Managing Director Lo Chi Pui, who is responsible for the research and development, said that if all minibuses are replaced with the hybrid system, Hong Kong's greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by 160,000 tonnes.
Fleet situation[]
In 2013, the Government's Pilot Green Transport Fund (PGTF) provided funding support to three local green minibus (GMB) operators, including AMS Public Transport (owned by Hong Kong Metrobus Company Limited and Big Three Limited), Chit Fai Motors (owned by Tim Wai Company Limited), and Ma Ah Muk (owned by Yan Yan Motors Company Limited), for the procurement of GMI Gemini hybrid minibuses. The first batch of 12 GMI Gemini hybrid minibuses commenced service in phases from November 2013[1], mainly serving routes in Tuen Mun, Tsim Sha Tsui, Whampoa and Hong Kong Island South.
1st generation Gemini[]
2nd generation Gemini[]
3rd generation Gemini[]
4th generation Gemini[]
Difference with Toyota Coaster[]
Many Chinese passenger vehicle manufacturers have copied the design of the Toyota Coaster, and this model's generations are no exception. To distinguish between the two, look for the headlamps, roof, windows, heat sinks on the skirts and the sound of the engine. Of course, you can also pay attention to the emblem and the colours of the bodywork, and the air-conditioning unit is placed on the roof of the car, and there is a noticeable exhaust sound when the handbrake is in use.
All six first generation Geminis used Dongfeng bodywork, while the second and third generation used GAC BYD bodywork.
Gallery[]

Related articles[]
- Alternative Fuel Light Bus Trial Scheme
- Hybrid bus
- Vicmax Zen
- GMI Thor (Full electric version)
- Toyota Coaster
- Mitsubishi Rosa
- Sunlong SLK6770
- Golden Dragon XML6701J18
- Iveco Daily
Notes and References[]
- ↑ "更環保節能 混能小巴下周呱呱「落地」" (More environmentally-friendly hybrid minibus to make first step in HK next week), Headline Daily, 8 November 2013.
External links[]
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