Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

The funds, shared by Calstart in Pasadena, Calif.; the Center for Transportation and the Environment in Atlanta; and the Northeast Advanced Vehicle Consortium in Boston, will go to 11 research and demonstration projects.

Participants will get a first hand look at the timeline for fuel-cell buses and their projections for price reductions and full commercialization, a look at some new exciting battery electric bus technology being field tested, and hear about some truly new and very cost effective options to enhance the use of natural gas and natural gas refueling and electric recharging.

Conference will reflect the growth in the hybrid technology and product segment and the emerging focus of truck makers on efficiency as they complete their transition to 2010 compliant engines.

The 23-foot gasoline-electric hybrid buses are part of a national pilot program to speed commercialization of these fuel-saving vehicles, which are expected to yield 30 percent to 40 percent reductions in fuel use, with an accompanying 30 percent reduction in emissions.