CALSTART Tech Teams Roll-Out Two Transit ``Firsts''; First California Fuel Cell Bus in Revenue Service; First Gasoline Electric Hybrid Bus
PASADENA, Calif.--Nov. 1, 2002--CALSTART:| -- | Advanced "Next Generation" Transit Buses From ISE Research: Fuel Cell Bus Setting Operation and Durability Milestones for Industry |
| -- | Hybrid Bus Setting New Benchmark for Emissions -- Up to 60-Times Cleaner than Diesel |
Two advanced technology transit buses utilizing state-of-the-art clean and efficient propulsion systems entered revenue-generating service this week, setting new durability and emission milestones and leading the way for the next generation of cleaner, quieter and more efficient technologies that will change the face of heavy-duty vehicles.
-- On October 31, SunLine Transit Agency showcased its
California-built, zero-emission ThunderVolt fuel cell bus, the
first fuel cell bus placed into California revenue service. It
is already showing impressive energy efficiency and durability
in operations, setting new milestones for the fuel cell
industry.
-- On November 1, Omnitrans officially unveiled its New Flyer
gasoline-electric hybrid transit bus, the first 40-foot hybrid
transit bus in the nation to combine a clean and low-cost
gasoline engine with an electric motor and batteries. The bus
has set a new standard for low emissions -- it is
significantly cleaner than other full-size hybrids, and up to
60-times cleaner than diesel.
The drive systems of both buses were developed by ISE Research (ISER) of San Diego and its partners, in programs sponsored by CALSTART.
"Zero emission fuels like hydrogen are a home run for the transit industry. High efficiency systems, such as the one powering the ThunderPower bus, can help eliminate the country's dependency on foreign oil," said Richard Cromwell, general manager of SunLine Transit Agency.
The SunLine ThunderVolt fuel cell bus is the first California-built fuel cell bus, and the first placed into paying-passenger service in California. ThunderVolt is a joint venture of two California companies, Thor Industries of Chino, CA, a major bus maker, and ISER, a hybrid-electric drive system integrator. Components include state-of-the-art hydrogen storage tanks from Irvine's QUANTUM Technologies and UTC's fuel cell, which turns hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, with no emissions, to drive the bus' electric motors. The bus achieves 7 to 11 equivalent miles per gallon (50-100% better than diesel) and operates roughly 75 miles per day in service, establishing important durability milestones for the fuel cell industry.
The Omnitrans electric-gasoline hybrid represents its own significant new technology plateau. It is the nation's first heavy-duty gasoline-electric hybrid bus, combining a medium-duty, gasoline-fueled engine with an electric motor and batteries. The Ford V-10 Triton engine used in the bus is normally found in large SUVs and trucks and is the cleanest in its class. Being low cost and mass-produced, it can help reduce the cost of the overall hybrid system and speed commercialization. It also makes the bus extremely clean: it exceeds the most stringent proposed bus standards and is roughly 60 times cleaner for smog-causing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions than a diesel bus. It's actually cleaner than many cars now on the road.
"The ThunderVolt(TM) gasoline hybrid system is the most environmentally-friendly drive system available for routine use in large transit buses today," according to Michael Simon, chairman of ISER. "The use of gasoline in the high-efficiency ISE hybrid arrangement also makes the system inexpensive and easy to operate." Omnitrans plans to place a total of three into service shortly.
CALSTART-supported programs help private industry and public agencies work together to stay on the leading edge of critical energy, transportation and air quality solutions. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) provided funding for both efforts, as have the Advanced Vehicle Program of the U.S. Department of Transportation and the South Coast Air Quality Management District. Each transit agency also provided funding, as did New Flyer and Thor. The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) helped fund the fuel cell bus, while Caltrans, CalTIP and the City of San Bernardino provided funds to the gasoline-electric hybrid.
"Our role is to move advanced technologies into testing, service and commercialization," said John Boesel, CALSTART's president. "We do that by helping build and support teams of innovative partners that share the risk and cost, as well as share expertise. But transportation challenges keep increasing -- to keep up, we must continue to develop the next generation of technology. Nowhere is that need greater than in heavy-duty vehicles."
CALSTART -- now celebrating a decade of innovation -- is a California-based, fuel neutral advanced transportation technologies consortium of more than 120 companies and agencies. It is dedicated to expanding and supporting a high-tech transportation industry that cleans the air, creates jobs and improves energy efficiency. Prime programs focus on clean heavy-duty vehicles, fuel cell transit applications and clean mobility systems. CALSTART is the California operating division of WestStart.
