New Flyer expands zero-emission line with a sixty-foot battery-electric/fuel cell Xcelsior bus

This propulsion system is being integrated into New Flyer’s Buy America compliant and proven Xcelsior^® X60 heavy-duty transit bus platform that includes a combination of batteries, a fuel cell, and hydrogen storage.  The electric drive bus will allow the fuel cell to operate at a relative steady-state, while the batteries will be able to both capture breaking energy and provide power for acceleration. 

New Flyer has partnered with Ballard Power Systems Inc., and Siemens on a bus that will be operated by Connecticut Transit (CTTransit) for 22 months of in-revenue-service operations. Ballard will supply a next-generation fuel cell power plant that is smaller, lighter and lower in cost than existing models.  A key step in the commercialization will be to complete a full Altoona durability and performance test as part of the US Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Bus Testing Program. Upon the success of this program, New Flyer will offer this vehicle to customers throughout the United States and Canada.

CALSTART, a member-supported organization of more than 140 firms, fleets and agencies worldwide dedicated to supporting a growing high-tech clean transportation industry, is administering the project for the FTA.

“This project is part of our technology roadmap and represents another important step for New Flyer in pursuit of durable, reliable and affordable zero-emission public transportation,” said Paul Soubry, President and Chief Executive Officer of New Flyer.  “Over the next decade, we expect to see a continued transition from conventional propulsion towards zero-emission technologies in the heavy-duty transit market and this builds on our natural evolution from: diesel, to hybrid, to natural gas, to electric – all based on the same proven Xcelsior bus platform.” 

This announcement follows New Flyer`s recent addition of a zero-emission battery-electric propulsion system to its commercially available lineup of Xcelsior transit bus models unveiled at the American Public Transit Association Expo tradeshow in Houston, Texas.

About New Flyer
New Flyer is the leading manufacturer of heavy-duty transit buses in the United States and Canada.  The Company is the industry technology leader and offers the broadest product line of transit buses including drive systems powered by: clean diesel, natural gas, diesel-electric hybrid, electric trolley and now, battery-electric.  All buses are supported by an industry-leading comprehensive warranty and support program, and service network.  New Flyer also operates the industry’s most sophisticated aftermarket parts organization, sourcing parts from hundreds of different suppliers and providing support for all types of transit buses.

The New Flyer group of companies employ over 3,000 team members with manufacturing, fabrication, parts distribution and service centers in both Canada and the United States.  Over 32,000 New Flyer and NABI buses are in operation today.