GM Hybrid Technology To Help Reduce Emissions and Noise from Yosemite Valley

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. August 19, 2004; Yosemite National Park joins the growing ranks of communities investing in transit buses powered by GM's hybrid technology, which offers up to 60-percent-greater fuel economy and 90-percent-cleaner emissions.

The General Services Administration (GSA) has awarded a contract for 18 new 40-foot diesel-electric hybrid buses, which are scheduled to go in service in May 2005. Gillig Corp., of Hayward, Calif., manufactures the buses.

GM-hybrid-equipped buses are currently in revenue service in Philadelphia and Seattle, which will have more than 230 hybrid buses in service by the end of 2004, representing the largest hybrid bus order in history. In addition, the hybrid buses are in "preview programs" in over a dozen major North American cities, including Minneapolis, Portland and Houston.

"Yosemite National Park is truly one of America's great national treasures," said Elizabeth A. Lowery, GM vice president, Environment and Energy. "The GM hybrid-powered buses will provide a way for today's visitors to enjoy the splendors of the park while helping to preserve the area for future generations by reducing noise and exhaust emissions."

"Several types of alternative fuel buses were seriously considered," commented Yosemite National Park Superintendent Mike Tollefson. "The decision to pursue diesel electric hybrids was based on a significant improvement in fuel economy, dramatically reduced emissions, and noticeably quieter operations. This is part of a major initiative to enhance transportation service to park visitors while protecting the natural beauty of the park."

"General Motors' hybrid strategy focuses on applying fuel-saving hybrid technology where it makes the most sense, on vehicles like transit buses, full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles," said Tom Stephens, group vice president of GM Powertrain. "For example, replacing the 13,000 buses operating in the nine largest transit markets in the United States with our hybrid technology would result in annual savings of almost 40 million gallons of fuel, equivalent to nearly half a million small hybrid passenger vehicles."

In addition to improved fuel economy and dramatically lower emissions, the GM hybrid system delivers superior torque, derived from the dual electric motors used to launch from a stop, and 50-percent-better acceleration than conventional diesel buses.