Post by Aurora40 on Aug 22, 2005 9:24:32 GMT -6
Hybrid Bus Transit Now Available in Charlotte
GM delivers hybrid power for buses added to CATS transit fleet
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Charlotte Area Transit System's (CATS) demonstrated its on-going commitment to clean air today by announcing the addition of two hybrid buses to its mass transit fleet. CATS and the city of Charlotte join the growing ranks of communities investing in transit buses powered by General Motors' hybrid technology, which offers greater fuel economy and cleaner emissions than conventional diesel buses.
In a media event today at the Bank of America Plaza, the city of Charlotte unveiled the buses. On hand for the festivities were Mayor Patrick McCrory, CATS' chief executive officer Ron Tober and representatives from U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole's office, CATS and General Motors.
Transit buses with GM's hybrid propulsion system provide a significant fuel economy improvement over conventional diesel buses, with a range of 20 to 55 percent fuel economy improvement depending on the route and driving conditions. To date, GM has delivered 364 hybrid buses to urban mass transit systems in 25 cities.
"The GM diesel-electric drive system for buses uses the most efficient parallel hybrid architecture available in the world today and is manufactured by GM's Allison Transmission operations in Indianapolis," said Tom Stephens, group vice president, GM Powertrain. "We think it is an excellent investment for urban transit bus fleets and applaud CATS for its efforts."
In addition, the hybrid buses provide dramatically lower emissions, including 90 percent fewer particulate, hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions. The hybrid buses also provide superior torque and better acceleration than conventional diesel buses, which will give passengers a very pleasant and smooth ride. Other benefits include reduced maintenance costs resulting from extended brake, engine oil and transmission oil life, and operational sound levels approaching that of passenger cars.
"Helping to improve the area's air quality has always been an important issue to CATS," said Ron Tober, CATS' chief executive officer. "The addition of the hybrid electric buses is a continuation of our ongoing efforts. With these buses, we are setting the standard for creating fuel-efficient, environmentally-friendly bus fleets throughout the state of North Carolina."
The clean hybrid technology is manufactured by GM's Allison Transmission, maker of transmissions and hybrid propulsion systems for commercial trucks, buses, off-highway equipment and military vehicles, headquartered in Indianapolis. Gillig Corp. of Hayward, Calif., manufactured the buses.
The hybrid electric buses go into operation on Monday, August 22. During the first week of use, customers will ride for free when a hybrid vehicle is used on their route.
The technology in these buses has served as the starting point for GM's co-development with DaimlerChrysler of a two-mode hybrid drive system that GM will launch in the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon in late 2007.
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader since 1931. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 317,000 people around the world. It has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 200 countries. In 2004, GM sold nearly 9 million cars and trucks globally, up 4 percent and the second-highest total in the company's history. GM's global headquarters are at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com. GM's corporate responsibility web site, www.gmability.com, contains additional information about GM's environmental initiatives.
GM delivers hybrid power for buses added to CATS transit fleet
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Charlotte Area Transit System's (CATS) demonstrated its on-going commitment to clean air today by announcing the addition of two hybrid buses to its mass transit fleet. CATS and the city of Charlotte join the growing ranks of communities investing in transit buses powered by General Motors' hybrid technology, which offers greater fuel economy and cleaner emissions than conventional diesel buses.
In a media event today at the Bank of America Plaza, the city of Charlotte unveiled the buses. On hand for the festivities were Mayor Patrick McCrory, CATS' chief executive officer Ron Tober and representatives from U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole's office, CATS and General Motors.
Transit buses with GM's hybrid propulsion system provide a significant fuel economy improvement over conventional diesel buses, with a range of 20 to 55 percent fuel economy improvement depending on the route and driving conditions. To date, GM has delivered 364 hybrid buses to urban mass transit systems in 25 cities.
"The GM diesel-electric drive system for buses uses the most efficient parallel hybrid architecture available in the world today and is manufactured by GM's Allison Transmission operations in Indianapolis," said Tom Stephens, group vice president, GM Powertrain. "We think it is an excellent investment for urban transit bus fleets and applaud CATS for its efforts."
In addition, the hybrid buses provide dramatically lower emissions, including 90 percent fewer particulate, hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions. The hybrid buses also provide superior torque and better acceleration than conventional diesel buses, which will give passengers a very pleasant and smooth ride. Other benefits include reduced maintenance costs resulting from extended brake, engine oil and transmission oil life, and operational sound levels approaching that of passenger cars.
"Helping to improve the area's air quality has always been an important issue to CATS," said Ron Tober, CATS' chief executive officer. "The addition of the hybrid electric buses is a continuation of our ongoing efforts. With these buses, we are setting the standard for creating fuel-efficient, environmentally-friendly bus fleets throughout the state of North Carolina."
The clean hybrid technology is manufactured by GM's Allison Transmission, maker of transmissions and hybrid propulsion systems for commercial trucks, buses, off-highway equipment and military vehicles, headquartered in Indianapolis. Gillig Corp. of Hayward, Calif., manufactured the buses.
The hybrid electric buses go into operation on Monday, August 22. During the first week of use, customers will ride for free when a hybrid vehicle is used on their route.
The technology in these buses has served as the starting point for GM's co-development with DaimlerChrysler of a two-mode hybrid drive system that GM will launch in the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon in late 2007.
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader since 1931. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 317,000 people around the world. It has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 200 countries. In 2004, GM sold nearly 9 million cars and trucks globally, up 4 percent and the second-highest total in the company's history. GM's global headquarters are at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com. GM's corporate responsibility web site, www.gmability.com, contains additional information about GM's environmental initiatives.
From GM
