New Flyer of America Inc. has announced that deliveries of zero emission buses (ZEBs) in 2016 reached their highest level in company history, delivering 213 equivalent units (EUs) in 2016. This ZEB milestone was a dramatic increase of 48% from 144 ZEB EU’s delivered in 2015, and is represents 8.3% of New Flyer’s total heavy-duty transit bus production in 2016.
Wayne Joseph, president of New Flyer Transit Bus, noted “New Flyer believes that zero emission acceptance has now hit a breakthrough level for the heavy-duty transit market in 2016.” He added, “We estimate that approximately 255 EU’s of the heavy-duty transit bus deliveries in 2016 were zero emission, and New Flyer is proud to have delivered more than 83%.”
New Flyer manufactures all three current types of ZEBs, including: battery-electric, trolley-electric, and hydrogen fuel cell electric buses. This unprecedented design and manufacturing capability allows transit authorities the ability to optimize charging method, infrastructure and range capability for their specific needs. All New Flyer ZEBs are based on the proven Xcelsior heavy-duty transit bus platform, driven by electric motors, and share common electric accessories. Including hybrid electric propulsion, New Flyer has now delivered over 6,400 buses driven by electric motors to the North American transit industry over the past 20 years.
Chris Stoddart, senior vice president engineering and customer service, emphasized the key to New Flyer’s zero-emissions approach. “We pride ourselves as being one of the world’s leading bus system integrators in the world, and we rely on our established supplier partners to complement our extensive research and development capabilities.” Stoddart added, “Our customers rely on us to stand behind the technology and support their operations throughout the 12+ year life of the bus. Our Altoona reliability and structural integrity results widely differentiates our zero-emission bus to all other electric bus manufacturers in North America. Our commitment to our customers has resulted in our ability to be North America’s market leader in transit buses, and with this success, the ability to continually invest in the best clean air technology available.”
New Flyer has developed a strong portfolio of clean-air solution partners with industry technology leaders including Siemens, BAE, Allison, XALT Energy, A123 Systems, Vanner, Thermo King, EMP, Parker, Vossloh-Kiepe, Shunk, and Cummins. In addition, New Flyer’s focus on emissions reduction includes propulsion systems with the latest generation of hydrogen fuel cells from Ballard Power Systems and Hydrogenics.
New Flyer’s clean-air solutions expanded in 2016, with the delivery of the industry’s first OEM installation of the Cummins ISL-G Near-Zero NOx engine into the Xcelsior platform. New Flyer understands that that the natural evolution of emission reduction is different for every transit property, therefore will continue to dedicate themselves to offer the broadest, best and most reliable clean air solutions in the industry on a proven platform.
New Flyer is also currently validating North America’s first 60-foot articulated battery-electric bus with a hydrogen fuel cell range extender, complemented by dual driven axles for enhanced traction, at the US Federal Transit Administration’s Altoona proving grounds.
A zero emission transit bus is able to eliminate 1,690 tons of CO2 over its 12-year lifespan which is equivalent to taking 27 cars off the road for each ZEB. Additionally, each ZEB also eliminates approximately 10 tons of nitrogen oxides and 350 pounds of particulate matter, improving air quality in the communities served.
With more than two decades of zero emission technology experience, New Flyer is positioned to provide operators with the most robust and reliable ZEBs in the North American transit industry today. As the trend towards clean air technology grows, New Flyer continues to invest in technology, robust vehicle system integration strategies and the expansion of our manufacturing capability and supply chain to ensure world class reliability and support for the vehicles in service.
