GM Delivers Hybrid Power Buses To Albuquerque

Hybrid-Powered Buses Save On Fuel And Reduce Emissions

ALBUQUERQUE, NM December 21. 2004; The city of Albuquerque set a significant environmental example this week by adding 12 hybrid buses to its mass transit fleet. Albuquerque joins the growing ranks of communities investing in transit buses powered by General Motor's hybrid technology, which offers greater fuel economy and cleaner emissions than conventional diesel buses.

"Our full hybrid diesel electric drive system for buses is the most efficient hybrid architecture available in the world today," said Tom Stephens, group vice president of GM Powertrain. "Transit buses with our GM hybrid propulsion system deliver significantly better fuel economy than traditional transit buses and reduce certain emissions by up to 90 percent."

In a press conference today, Mayor Martin Chavez presented the GM hybrid-powered buses as his Christmas present to the city. In attendance were representatives from U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson's office, Sen. Jeff Bingaman's office, Stewart & Stevenson and General Motors Corp.

"Welcome to the future of bus service in the city of Albuquerque," said Chavez. "These vehicles provide a key element in our smart, planned growth strategy and provide another way to ensure a quality environment for our city."

The buses begin servicing the city today as part of the city's "Rapid Ride" system. They will have automated traffic signal prioritization so that they can move swiftly and conveniently from one part of town to another.

By the end of 2004, there will be 335 GM-hybrid-equipped buses operating in about 18 North American cities. If America's nine largest cities were to replace its existing fleet of 13,000 transit buses with hybrid buses, the nation would save 40 million gallons of fuel a year.

"GM's hybrid technology offers significantly improved fuel economy, along with reduced noise and emissions - qualities that are particularly important and beneficial in cities like Albuquerque," said Beth Lowery, GM vice president of environment and energy. "We applaud Albuquerque for its efforts to protect the environment today, and to help preserve it for generations to come."

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. New Flyer Industries, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, manufactures the buses.