ISE Corp. (ISE) recently received an order from New Flyer of America (New Flyer) for 25 gasoline hybrid-electric drive systems. Based on the same ThunderVolt hybrid drive systems already in service at different transit authorities in North America, these will be installed in New Flyer 40-foot buses before delivery to Long Beach Transit. This new order will increase Long Beach Transit’s fleet of buses powered by ISE’s ThunderVolt hybrid drive systems from 62 hybrid buses to 87 hybrid buses.

This order is part of the Montebello Consortium program initiated last year for the purchase of 150 gasoline hybrid-electric 40-foot buses. This is a Federal Transit Administration pooled procurement program that provides 90 percent Federal funding to participating agencies. ISE’s ThunderVolt gasoline hybrid-electric drive system has been selected for the program. New Flyer of America serves as the vehicle manufacturer.

ISE's ThunderVolt gasoline hybrid drive system was certified as an "alternative fuel" system by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in November 2003. More than 100 of these hybrid systems are already in revenue service in various California cities, including Long Beach, Orange County, Norwalk, Montebello, Gardena, San Bernardino and Fresno. The Long Beach Transit gasoline hybrid bus fleet has exceeded 5 million miles of total revenue service.

More Related Information:
Archived Article: Special Report — Hybrids Get a Launch Assist
Archived Article: Speical Report — Looking Forward to 2010
Archived Article: Maintenance Matters — The Hybrid Opportunity
Mass Transit Buyer’s Guide: Bus Components, Accessories
Mass Transit Buyer’s Guide: Fuel Systems, Fueling Equipment & Alternative Fueling