SEPTA Adds Hybrid-Powered Buses To Fleet

October 3, 2002

Philadelphia - At a ceremony today, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) added the first of two parallel hybrid-powered 40-foot buses to its fleet. SEPTA will take possession of the second bus sometime this month. The ceremony marked the delivery of the first of the buses to SEPTA by manufacturer New Flyer of America. The 40-foot buses are powered by an advanced parallel hybrid-electric powertrain, the E^PSystem^tm, from Allison Transmission Division of General Motors (GM).

The E^PSystem^tm brings solid environmental benefits to the Philadelphia area. The system significantly reduces hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen (No_X) and particulate matter emissions compared to conventional diesel buses.

The E^PSystem^tm -powered buses deliver up to 50 percent better acceleration and a significant improvement in fuel efficiency compared to buses equipped with a conventional diesel powertrain.

The buses feature a Cummins ISL engine from Cummins Inc. The engine delivers the ideal combination of power, low weight and low emissions.

The E^PSystem^tm hybrid powertrain features the latest hybrid design generation from Allison. A previous Allison design generation, the E^PSystem^tm series hybrid system, has successfully powered two buses for Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) for more than 18 months. The earlier E^PSystem^tm also powers two hybrid-electric buses for Tri-Met Transit in Portland, Oregon that were delivered in April.

"The buses that SEPTA is placing into revenue service are poised to demonstrate the environmental and operational benefits of hybrid technology," said Fred Cartwright, program director of the Allison Electric Drives, ^tm Allison Transmission. "We are delighted to join with New Flyer to fill a need for low-emission, high-efficiency transit solutions."

"The delivery of these buses introduces an important low-emission alternative to the Philadelphia area," said Elizabeth Lowery, GM vice president, environment and energy. "Hybrid technology plays a key role in our strategy of using commercially -viable innovations to produce low-emission vehicles that consume less fuel. "

"New Flyer is proud to deliver these hybrid buses, which bring with them an innovative and environmentally-beneficial transportation alternative to the Philadelphia area," said Paul Smith, vice president of Sales and Marketing, New Flyer of America. "We are pleased to join Allison Transmission to complete this significant bus delivery."

"Cummins is delighted to join with New Flyer and Allison Transmission to bring hybrid technology to SEPTA and the people of Pennsylvania," said John Malina, general manager, Worldwide Bus Business of Cummins Inc.

How hybrid works
Here's how hybrid technology works: Hybrid systems use two sources of power to move a vehicle - engine and battery. In the parallel hybrid system, the engine-generator combination works in parallel with the battery, furnishing electrical power to keep the battery charged. The engine is coupled to a drive unit that furnishes an infinitely variable ratio to the wheels. This allows an engine in a hybrid system to run more efficiently, quietly and cleanly. For example, when the bus accelerates from a stop, the batteries can supply ample power for a seamless and quiet acceleration. This allows for optimization of engine performance and lowest exhaust emissions.

A parallel hybrid bus uses the diesel engine's mechanical power to maintain speed after the vehicle is underway. In this mode the engine also charges the energy storage system (battery), making it unnecessary to plug the vehicle in for charging. Performance data on Allison-powered buses now in operation in Orange County, CA demonstrate that 40 percent of the energy needed to accelerate the buses comes from the energy recovered and stored during the stop.

In 1999, Allison successfully completed a demonstration hybrid bus program for the New York City Transit (NYCT) Authority. In 2000, the company began its hybrid electric "Preview" program. This "first generation hybrid" program, the first step of which was undertaken with New Flyer of America, is bringing hybrid electric buses to transit systems across North America.

California's Orange County Transit Authority (OCTA) was the first transit property to place Allison-powered series hybrid buses into revenue service in 2000. Tri-Met Transit in Portland, Oregon added two of the Allison-powered series hybrid buses to its fleet in April 2002.

Allison is supplying E^PSystem^tm equipment for installation in additional "Preview Program" hybrid buses and coaches for delivery to select transit operators nationwide in 2002. Allison plans to go into production of its system in 2003.

Allison Transmission leads the world in the design, manufacture and sales of medium- and heavy-duty automatic transmissions. Founded in 1915, the General Motors division has produced and sold nearly four million transmissions.