Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

Company has more than tripled transit agency orders under contract for the company’s flagship EcoRide in the past 12 months alone and is planning for its current growth path to continue.

The Worcester Regional Transit Authority estimates that replacing these three buses will eliminate 53 tons of harmful emissions and reduce petroleum consumption by more than 23,000 gallons per year, while reducing operating costs by more nearly $500,000.

Based on the award-winning Solo low-floor bus, of which over 4,000 are in service worldwide, the Solo EV produces zero tailpipe emissions

Of the $30 million being invested by the province, $27 million has been earmarked for the design and manufacture of a 40-foot electric bus to be developed by Nova Bus, Bathium Canada, TM4, Giro, René Matériaux Composites and Précicad.

The project is based on technology developed by Utah State's Energy Dynamics Laboratory and marketed through a spin-off company called WAVE (Wireless Advance Vehicle Electrification).

Testing of vehicles at Charlotte airport showed increases in fuel economy of up to 41 percent and maintenance cost reductions up to 93 percent, when compared to the airport's traditional diesel buses.

If the bus is successful for its initial route slated for September, officials say, a second route could be changed to use an electric bus.

The ECO-Smart I Buses are expected to be operational prior to the end of June 2010, on Sir Bani Yas Island, making it the first destination in the world to have an entirely electric transportation system.