Navistar First Truck and Bus Maker to Receive Hybrid Certification from California Air Resources Board
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WARRENVILLE, Il - April 27, 2009: Navistar continues to blaze new trails through the hybrid landscape, becoming the first truck and bus manufacturer to receive total hybrid vehicle certification from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for improving fuel economy and overall emissions.
The innovative integration of an optimized engine and hybrid system makes total vehicle certification of the International® DuraStar® Hybrid box van and utility truck, and the IC Bus CE Series hybrid bus a reality.
On Friday, April 24, 2009 the CARB voted to implement a $25 million voucher incentive program as part of California Assembly Bill (AB) 118 to accelerate the deployment of about 1,000 medium- and heavy-duty diesel hybrid trucks and buses in California. Purchasers of commercial hybrid vehicles under this program will receive incentives ranging from $10,000 to $35,000 per vehicle depending on weight class. In addition, purchasers of CARB-certified International DuraStar Hybrid models and IC Bus hybrid buses will receive vouchers worth another $5,000 per vehicle under the incentive.
“This is a win-win for everyone in California,” said Jack Allen, Navistar president, North American truck group. “By working together we created the opportunity to put more clean diesel hybrid trucks and buses on California’s roads, and we’re proud that Navistar’s hybrid leadership directly puts money back in our customers’ pockets.”
In addition to commercial hybrid trucks, Navistar is an industry leader in hybrid school buses. In August 2007, Navistar’s IC Bus subsidiary delivered the first hybrid diesel school bus to the Napa Valley Unified School District in California. While most diesel-only powered school buses achieve an average of six to seven miles per gallon, the fuel efficiency of the IC Bus plug-in hybrid electric school bus nearly doubled the average to 13 miles per gallon.
AB 118, authored and championed by former California State Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, aims to reduce greenhouse gases from California’s transportation sector, and was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger on Oct. 14, 2007.
Environmental Innovations
For decades, Navistar has demonstrated a commitment to clean
technologies that benefit the environment and its customers. In 1989,
Navistar was the first original equipment manufacturer to release the
smokeless diesel engine and, in 2001, Navistar was the first engine
manufacturer to gain certification from the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) for meeting particulate and hydrocarbon
emissions standards – six years ahead of schedule. Navistar was also
the first to enter line production of commercial diesel hybrid trucks and school buses.
Most Fuel Efficient Heavy Trucks
In addition to hybrid-electric trucks and buses, the conventional
line-up of International brand commercial trucks is among the most
aerodynamic, fuel efficient in the industry. Navistar recently became
the first OEM to receive dual certification through the U.S. EPA
SmartWay Program for helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Navistar produces two industry-leading Class 8 trucks with SmartWay
certification — International LoneStar® and International
ProStar® — a distinction they received for their superior
aerodynamics and fuel economy. While the aerodynamic ProStar Class 8
tractor is the market leader in fuel-efficiency, in June 2008, the
groundbreaking LoneStar became the first classic-styled Class 8
tractor to receive the SmartWay certification.
Award-winning Environmental Leadership
For its ongoing leadership, Navistar was honored with the 2007 Blue Sky
Award from WestStart-CALSTART for its contributions to the commercial
development of diesel-hybrid technology. This preeminent award is
presented each year by WestStart-CALSTART, the nation's leading
advanced
transportation technology industry organization working to support
and
accelerate the growth of companies developing clean and
energy-efficient
transportation technologies. For more information on Navistar’s
legacy
of environmental leadership, visit www.greendieseltechnology.com.
About the California Air Resources Board
The Air Resources Board is a department of the California Environmental
Protection Agency. The CARB oversees all air pollution control
efforts
in California to attain and maintain health-based air quality
standards.
About Navistar
Navistar International Corporation is a holding company
whose wholly owned subsidiaries produce International®
brand
commercial and military trucks, MaxxForce® brand diesel
engines, IC Bus brand school and commercial buses, and
Workhorse®
brand chassis for motor homes and step vans. It also is a
private-label
designer and manufacturer of diesel engines for the pickup truck, van
and SUV markets. The company also provides truck and diesel engine
parts
and service. Another affiliate offers financing services. Additional
information is available at www.Navistar.com.