GILLIG has partnered with Allison Transmission to offer Allison’s eGen Flex™ electric hybrid propulsion system.
“GILLIG and Allison have partnered for nearly 50 years to provide the highest-quality buses for our customers and the people they serve,” said Bill Fay, vice president of sales at GILLIG. “Our companies are demonstrating how American ingenuity is supporting safe and clean public transportation, and recycling tax dollars back into our communities.”
The Allison eGen Flex system can improve fuel economy by up to 25 percent versus a conventional clean diesel bus and can operate accessories such as air conditioning and electric heat at optimal efficiency with electric power. Moving these accessories to electric power reduces the strain on the engine, lowering fuel consumption and maintenance costs over the vehicle’s lifetime.
The eGen Flex’s full EV capability can also eliminate engine emissions and noise while loading and unloading passengers, and while operating in densely populated areas or depots using geo-fencing. The eGen Flex system can support up to 16 EV events per day, each offering full electric drive capability for up to 10 miles, depending upon duty cycle and accessory load demands.
“GILLIG and Allison have established a joint partnership dedicated to optimized integration and a mutual commitment to innovation,” said Rohan Barua, vice president of sales at Allison. “We are excited to continue our history of innovation with GILLIG through the launch of the eGen Flex propulsion system, which provides our mutual customers full electric engine-off capability, without capital infrastructure investment in charging stations. Through this solution, GILLIG and Allison are able to offer customers full EV capability, while maintaining a diesel engine for added flexibility, effectively serving as a bridge solution to full EV. The diesel engine can serve as a range extender, whether needed for longer routes, route flexibility due to unplanned congestion or construction on routes, or an inability to recharge due to power grid challenges.”
GILLIG has received its first order for Allison eGen Flex electric hybrid-equipped buses from IndyGo, the Indianapolis Transportation Corporation.