MCI Delivers 3 Zero-Emission J4500 CHARGE™ Coaches To Roberts Hawaii
Motor Coach Industries (MCI), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. (NFI), has announced the delivery of three zero-emission, battery-electric MCI J4500 CHARGE™ coaches to Roberts Hawaii, the largest transportation provider in the 50th state. Roberts Hawaii is the first U.S. operator to run the MCI J4500 CHARGE™ zero-emission coaches in tour and charter operations.
The 45-foot, 56-passenger luxury coaches are equipped with modern passenger amenities, and high-tech safety features, including a 360° camera system, and American-made, high-energy batteries. Supported by funding from the Hawaii State Energy Office and the Hawaii Department of Health through the Diesel Replacement Rebate Program, Roberts Hawaii fully electric motor coaches help to meet the state’s net-negative emissions targets and future-skills workforce development initiatives.
“Hawai‘i has a long history of firsts when it comes to clean energy, so we are thrilled to assist Roberts Hawai‘i to become the first operator in the country to use fully electric motor coaches for tour and charter operations,” Hawai‘i State Chief Energy Officer Mark B. Glick said. “The Diesel Replacement Rebate program, administered by the Hawai‘i State Energy Office, is helping local businesses transition their fleets to clean, zero-emission options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet the state’s ambitious clean energy and climate goals.”
“Emission-free and luxuriously appointed, the MCI J4500 CHARGE is the electric version of the best-selling J4500 motor coach in North America, renowned for its reliability, state-of-the-art safety features and lowest cost of operation. It is the most predominant and popular model in Roberts Hawaii’s fleet,” according to a press release. “The electric model incorporates NFI’s advanced technology for greater efficiency, and smooth handling, with next generation, high-energy batteries that deliver long-range, quiet highway driving.”
“We are excited to showcase Roberts Hawaii’s leadership in hitting another major milestone in the move to zero emissions,” Brent Maitland, Vice President of Private Sector Sales and Marketing, MCI, said. “We are thrilled they continue to rely on MCI, and we look forward to supporting them in providing reliable, comfortable, and energy-efficient transportation to their tour and charter passengers.”
“Our longstanding relationship with Roberts Hawaii spans four decades,” continues Maitland. “We are honored to be part of their expanding portfolio into zero-emission vehicles and appreciate their confidence in our product, parts, service, and support as they continue to transform transportation in Hawaii.”
“MCI’s parent company, NFI, is a leader in zero-emission mobility, with electric vehicles operating (or on order) in more than 130 cities in six countries. NFI offers the widest range of zero-emission battery and fuel cell-electric buses and coaches, and its vehicles have completed over 115 million EV service miles,” the release stated. “Today, NFI supports growing North American cities with scalable, clean, and sustainable mobility solutions through a four-pillar approach that includes buses and coaches, technology, infrastructure, and workforce development. NFI also operates the Vehicle Innovation Center, the first and only innovation lab of its kind dedicated to advancing bus and coach technology and providing workforce development. Since opening in late 2017, the VIC has hosted over 350 interactive events, welcoming 7,000 industry professionals for EV and infrastructure training.”
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