|
|
Hybrid Powered Buses Head to Tampa's HARTline January 2005The Hillsborough Area Regional Transitt Authority (HART) demonstrated its on-going commitment to clean air today by announcing the addition of three hybrid buses to its mass transit fleet. HART and the city of Tampa join the growing ranks of communities investing in transit buses powered by General Motor's hybrid technology, which offers greater fuel economy and cleaner emissions than conventional diesel buses."Our full hybrid diesel electric drive system for buses is the most efficient hybrid architecture available in the world today," said Tom Stephens, group vice president of GM Powertrain. "Transit buses with GM's hybrid propulsion system deliver significantly better fuel economy than traditional transit buses and reduce certain emissions by up to 90 percent." In a media event today at HARTline's Marion Transit Center in downtown Tampa, David Mechanik, chairman of HARTline's board of directors presented the GM hybrid-powered buses to the city. In attendance were representatives from HARTline, the Sierra Club and General Motors Corp. "The use of this new technology will provide fuel savings for HARTline, a quieter, more pleasant ride for our patrons, and cleaner air for the people of Hillsborough County," said Sharon Dent, executive director for HARTline. "Combining this hybrid drive system with a modern low-floor bus means that everyone wins. Come ride the future, today." The buses begin servicing the city today and blend perfectly into the mission of HART, to provide public transportation services, which are safe, dependable and cost effective thereby enhancing the quality of life in its community. GM-hybrid-equipped buses are operating in about 18 U.S. cities including Seattle, Minneapolis, Portland, Salt Lake City, Houston and Austin. "GM's hybrid technology offers significantly improved fuel economy, along with reduced noise and emissions -- qualities that are particularly important and beneficial in cities like Tampa," said Beth Lowery, GM vice president of environment and energy. "We applaud HART for its efforts to protect the environment today, and to help preserve it for generations to come." In addition to improved fuel economy and dramatically lower emissions, the GM hybrid system delivers superior torque, derived from the dual electric motors used to launch from a stop, 50 percent better acceleration than conventional diesel buses and operation sound levels equal to passenger cars even in tunnels. The hybrid powertrain also helps to extend brake, engine oil and transmission oil life. Gillig Corp. of Hayward, Calif., manufactures the buses. SOURCE: Fuel Cell Works | ||
|
Hybrid Car Links
|