Remember the Energizer Bunny? It first appeared in a 1980s advertisement featuring an array of toy rabbits playing the drums, and the one powered by Energizer lasted the longest. Today, battery powered buses promise to outlast their diesel-powered counterparts, but what does that mean for parts manufacturers, asks Roger Brereton, of bus and coach steering…
Read More >>By John Hroncich, Director, North American Transit Sales at BAE Systems There is no denying that the transit industry is in the process of an electrifying transformation. Growing environmental concerns, coupled with advancing technology, are setting bus/coach companies firmly on the path toward increasingly electrified platforms. Imagine what that would look like. Transit authorities would…
Read More >>In full production, U.S. based manufacturers stand ready to churn out fleets of electric buses for K-12 schools, college campuses, and public transportation. Federal, state, and local incentives only sweeten the deal. Now is an excellent time for K-12 “yellow” school buses, college campus transportation, and public transit systems to transition to zero-emission electric buses instead…
Read More >>By Mike Hynes, CALSTART Infrastructure can be one of the most daunting challenges for a transit agency electrifying its fleet. The entire process can be overwhelming, given the cost of equipment and construction, the power requirements that may not be available onsite, and the space constraints that plague so many agencies. New technologies are being…
Read More >>Heliox, a Siemens business and producer of DC charging systems for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, launched its new Heliox 60 charger. “The compact and versatile 60 kW EV charger is certified (UL2202, CSA C22.2, Energy Star) and made specifically for the North American market,” according to a press release. “Building on the success of the 50…
Read More >>BAE Systems and Cummins Inc., have announced plans to collaborate on the integration and certification of a B hybrid-compatible diesel engine and hybrid electric drivetrain for the transit market, targeted for launch in 2027. “The hybrid electric solution will continue to provide transit agencies with a proven and cost-effective technology that reduces fuel use and…
Read More >>By Jeremy Butzlaff, President of MTRWESTERN As the President of MTRWESTERN, a leading Pacific Northwest based motor coach company committed to innovation and sustainability, I am keenly aware of the pivotal role our industry plays in shaping the future of transportation. With the growing urgency to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change, the adoption…
Read More >>By Melinda Metzger, Executive Director, Pace Suburban Bus On a blustery day this past January in the Chicago area, staff and Board members with Pace Suburban Bus gathered with elected officials from all levels to celebrate an important milestone in Pace’s history. From our Southwest Division garage, attendees cheered and threw confetti as Pace’s first-ever,…
Read More >>CALSTART has announced the release of this year’s Zeroing in on ZEBs, an annual report funded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The report provides an updated index of newly adopted transit ZEBs that have been funded, ordered, delivered, and/or deployed within the United States and Canada, according to data collected through September 2023 by local, state,…
Read More >>The Volvo Group recently completed the previously announced transaction whereby the Group acquired the battery business from Proterra Inc., and Proterra Operating Company Inc. According to a press release, “The acquisition, which was made at a purchase price of USD 210M before adjustment for inventory level at closing, includes a development center for battery modules…
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