What is a Hybrid Bus? | Demonstrations | Emissions | CertificationHybrid Bus Demonstration and Deployment
The global hybrid bus population has increased dramatically in just a few years. In a report for the Transportation Research Board, the NAVC estimated that more than 300 hybrid buses had been built worldwide as of 1999. More significant are the transit operators' planned hybrid bus purchases for 2001 and beyond. In the U.S. alone, the number of planned hybrid buses purchases will increase the bus market from approximately 65 in 1999 to over 300 in 2001.
As of 1999, about 70 hybrid buses had been tested with US transit agencies from New York to Hawaii. Approximately 50 hybrid buses have been deployed for testing throughout Europe, notably Germany, Italy, Sweden and Denmark. In Asia, hybrid buses are being tested in Japan, Thailand, and Australia.
United States
Three transit agencies stand out as having extensive hybrid drive experience to date: New York City Transit, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation and Cedar Rapids Five Seasons Transportation. Each agency operates at least five hybrid buses in revenue service and has more than 10,000 road miles on its fleet.
MTA New York City Transit has been a proving ground for hybrid-electric drive technology for almost 10 years. It is the first transit agency in North America to demonstrate a small fleet of 40-foot hybrid transit buses in revenue service. These buses are being used to test the operational viability and economic feasibility of hybrid drive technology for large-scale adoption by the MTA. Because of its purchasing power and demanding environment, New York City will have a great influence on the direction and success of the hybrid bus industry. NYC MTA has committed to purchasing 125 buses in 2001 and 200 in 2003.
King County Metro has announced that will purchase 235 diesel electric hybrids buses, the biggest hybrid bus order ever. The 60-foot (18-meter) articulated buses utilize a parallel hybrid powertrain by GMÕs Allison Transmission and are powered by Caterpillar engines. They will be delivered in 2004 and 2005 by New Flyer Industries of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Five Seasons Transportation in Cedar Rapids, Iowa was one of the first transit agencies in the country to begin operating electric drive systems in regular revenue service back in 1995. Cedar Rapids operates five hybrid and four battery-electric buses built by Blue Bird and Northrop Grumman. The buses operate year round in demanding weather conditions that give hybrid technology a tough test of its performance and reliability.
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation and surrounding communities are evaluating the use of hybrid buses as a way of helping the Los Angeles region meet strict air quality standards. LADOT's most recent project involves testing 8 hybrid buses built by ElDorado National and ISE Research. In Orange County hybrids built by New Flyer and Solectria Corporation are in revenue service. Some of the hybrid buses will be used to demonstrate advanced technologies, including turbines and flywheels.
There are other important hybrid demonstrations in the US, as well as in Europe and Asia, which are detailed in the TRB report.