The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Cummins to Power Diesel Hybrid Electric Drive System for MTA New York City Transit

17 July 2000

Cummins to Power Diesel Hybrid Electric Drive System for MTA New York City Transit

    COLUMBUS, Ind. - Cummins Engine Co., Inc. today announced its partnership with Orion Bus Industries and Lockheed Martin Control Systems. Cummins will provide the diesel engine and soot filter for the hybrid electric drive system on the 2001 delivery of 125 Orion VII hybrid buses to MTA New York City Transit.

    The engine, a modified Cummins ISB-275 with a catalyzed soot filter developed by Cummins' subsidiary, Fleetguard/Nelson, will power the hybrid drive system used in the new buses. The combination of these technologies will both increase fuel economy and reduce bus emissions to a level below 15 grams NOx (oxides of nitrogen) per mile and 0.06 grams of PM (particulate matter) per mile. This system will be available for urban vehicles with hybrid engine needs up to 275 horsepower.

    The partnership allows Cummins to power the mass-transit industry's first large-scale purchase of hybrid electric drive buses. The order comes after more than a year of technology demonstration by New York City Transit, which has operated a test fleet since the fall of 1998. Orion Bus Industries, headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, will build the new Orion VII buses in Oriskany, New York.

    "Cummins is pleased to join Orion and Lockheed Martin in order to provide the best available technology to our customers," said John Wall, Cummins Chief Technical Officer. "Our work on this project will expand the use of Cummins power and aftertreatment technologies with low emissions drive system strategies to produce the most reliable products with minimal environmental impact. Cummins is unique in its development of the total system, which includes engines, filtration and aftertreatment components as a complete package for our customers."

    By modifying the ISB engine with a catalyzed soot filter to perform with a hybrid electric drive system, Cummins will supply its customers with a product that meets emissions requirements equal to or below alternative fueled conventionally equipped vehicles. The hybrid electric diesel also provides the reliability and durability demonstrated by previous Cummins' diesel engines without the need for major infrastructure change.

    Cummins, headquartered in Columbus, Ind., is the world's largest producer of gas and diesel engines above 200 horsepower. The company provides products and services for customers in markets worldwide for engines, power generation and filtration. In 1999, Cummins reported record sales of $6.6 billion.