San Francisco Municipal Railway Orders 56 Hybrid Electric Buses

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 22, 2005--The San Francisco Municipal Railway has ordered 56 hybrid diesel electric buses from the DaimlerChrysler's transit bus brand Orion, with an option for 56 more units. The Orion VII diesel-electric 40-foot buses, similar to a large and growing fleet of Orion hybrid buses in service in New York City, promise significant emissions reductions and fuel savings compared to standard diesel buses, and also outperform conventionally powered vehicles.

Mississauga, Ontario-based Orion Bus Industries, along with partner BAE Systems, producer of the HybriDrive(R) series hybrid propulsion system, will deliver the Orion VII model buses in 2006. These buses, the first production hybrid diesel-electric units ordered by a California transit system, will be certified to standards for diesel electric hybrid buses recently adopted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

“We are proud to be the first transit agency in California to commit to this promising technology, and we look forward to incorporating the hybrids into our fleet.”

The order also is the fourth largest ever for hybrid buses. MTA New York City Transit, which is assembling the world's largest hybrid fleet, with 325 units, also uses the Orion VII model. This spring, the Toronto Transit Commission placed an order for 150 buses of the same configuration.

"Hybrid electric drive provides an outstanding combination of improved efficiency, reduced emissions, and improved performance," said Stuart Sunshine, San Francisco Muni general manager. "We are proud to be the first transit agency in California to commit to this promising technology, and we look forward to incorporating the hybrids into our fleet."

Compared to standard diesel propulsion, the hybrid units will provide 25 percent to 35 percent better fuel economy while greatly reducing emissions: 90 percent less particulate matter, 40 percent less NOx, and 30 percent fewer greenhouse gases. Drivers will enjoy faster acceleration and customers will experience a quieter, smoother ride free of the frequent transmission shifts encountered in conventional buses.

At the heart of the Orion VII hybrid bus is the HybriDrive(R) propulsion system provided by BAE Systems. The system propels the bus with a single electric motor that is powered by a diesel-driven generator. A Cummins ISB 5.9-liter high-efficiency engine drives a generator that provides power to a single electric motor, which turns the drive wheels. The generator also charges an energy storage unit that provides additional power for high-demand situations, such as fast starts and hill climbs.

"The Cummins ISB engine is renowned for its durability, performance, and fuel efficiency, attributes that are vital to transit bus operators," Roe East, Cummins Worldwide Bus Business general manager. "These engines have performed exceptionally in more than 4 million miles of revenue service on Orion buses in New York City, and it's a privilege to have been selected to equip the hybrid buses bound for San Francisco."

The engine in a series hybrid bus is optimized to run at relatively constant speeds for maximum efficiency and clean operation. Cummins and BAE Systems currently are working to certify the engine and propulsion system combination to the stringent CARB standard.

"Orion is proud to provide the latest and most efficient clean-vehicle technology to San Francisco MUNI and to the people of the Bay Area," said Mark Brager, Orion's vice president of sales. "Series hybrid offers the best available combination of fuel savings and emissions reductions, and also reduces maintenance costs by extending brake life and eliminating the transmission."

The absence of a mechanical transmission means no transmission overhauls -- a major maintenance item on conventional buses. Another feature of the Orion VII hybrid is a regenerative braking system that uses the drive motor to slow the bus, effectively turning the motor into a generator to help recharge the energy storage system. This feature saves energy and significantly reduces brake wear.

"Our hybrid propulsion technology combines cleaner emissions and reduced fuel consumption," said Hank McGlynn, vice president of Power Systems for BAE Systems. "This is a powerful combination for transit agencies seeking to both reduce fleet emissions and combat the escalating cost of diesel fuel."

Orion, a brand of DaimlerChrysler operates production facilities in Greensboro, N.C.; Oriskany, N.Y.; and Mississauga, Ontario. DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses North America produces and markets a wide range of commercial bus and coach products under the Orion, Setra, and Dodge Sprinter brands and is a unit of DaimlerChrysler, the world's leading manufacturer of buses and coaches for Class 6 and higher, with more than 32,000 chassis and complete buses produced annually for revenue of more than $4.3 billion.

BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defense and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. The company designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, combat vehicles, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years and is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defense systems. BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company employs nearly 100,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately $25 billion through its wholly owned and joint-venture operations.