Orders for Hybrid Buses Will Double GM-Allison Fleet
By Tom Stephens
GM Group Vice President GM Powertrain and Global Quality
When someone says "hybrids," you probably think about passenger cars and trucks. They get the lion's share of attention. But the benefits of hybrid technology aren't limited to personal vehicles. We can also drive environmental benefits by providing cleaner mass transit options - and with the cost of petroleum somewhat unstable or unpredictable for the foreseeable future, many municipalities are looking more closely at hybrid technology. And that's where we come in.
Today at the Washington Auto Show, we announced major orders for GM-Allison hybrid buses, totaling up to 1,732 buses to public transit authorities in Washington, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis-St. Paul. These orders will more than double the number of GM-Allison hybrid-powered buses on the road, to more than 2,700 buses in more than 80 cities.
As you may know, GM-Allison has been building hybrid transmissions since 2003, and we announced earlier this month the 1,000th bus equipped with GM-Allison hybrid technology will be delivered to Las Vegas.
These buses have driven more than 14 million miles in service for public transportation agencies from Germany to Yosemite National Park.
We've taken that proven technology and scaled it down to our 2-Mode Hybrid system, which is now available in the 2008 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid and GMC Yukon Hybrid, the industry's only full-size hybrid SUVs. And, as I said last week at the North American International Auto Show, we'll introduce the first front-wheel drive version of the 2-Mode Hybrid system in the 2009 Saturn Vue Green Line 2-Mode Hybrid.
Whether it's passenger vehicles or transit buses, this hybrid technology significantly improves fuel efficiency and reduces emissions while maintaining the vehicle performance and capability expected by our customers. For example, Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon Hybrid SUVs offer up to eight-passenger seating and 6,200 lbs. towing capability, with a 50% improvement in city fuel economy.
The GM-Allison hybrid-powered buses have saved transit systems millions of gallons of diesel fuel, with up to a 75% improvement in fuel efficiency over conventional buses, according to a 2006 study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
In fact, we estimate that the 1,732 hybrid bus deliveries we're announcing today will save 2.4 million gallons of diesel fuel per year. That's enough fuel to fill 300 tanker trucks, and save 6,600 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year. Moreover, because of their clean diesel technology the buses produce far less NOx, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter than the traditional city buses you might be used to seeing.
So the next time you're in Seattle, Washington D.C., Philadelphia or Minneapolis-St. Paul, take a ride in one of the GM-Allison hybrid-powered buses. I'd like to hear what you think of them.
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“When someone says “hybrids,” you probably think about passenger cars and trucks.”
Actually, the first thing I think of when someone says hybrids is diesel-electric locomotives. They have been around for decades.
I’ve actually seen GM hybrid buses for years now. Me and my wife go to Yosemite every Christmas. For the last 2-3 years, I’ve noticed them in the valley floor of the park taking visitors all over the place.
What’s interesting about them is that I have definitely noticed that the buses don’t have the same nauseating diesel smell to them as the city buses I got used to riding on in years past in Boston. So from that respect, they make riding on them far more pleasant.
If you think about it, Yosemite is one of the most popular parks in the country. On top of that, it receives a huge number of international tourists. We tend to be in the minority there as Californians with all the Japanese, German, French, Chinese, and Italian tourists. These buses have “hybrid bus” written all over them. So it’s good to have a bus such as this in a highly visible, internationally acclaimed area. It shows people what it possible with new technology.
Good story. Can the fuel savings be translated to the number of Prius’s and other non GM hybrids ? People need another reminder that GM has a huge impact but we get little respect.
Great sales.
But I will not be happy until you get a Boeing 777 Dreamliner type backlog of 7 years.
And according to Joe Customer that has probably never heard of a hybrid bus, to the average customer you get zero credit for this technology and sale. To run a commercial or two advertising this bus and technology will not only help sales but begin to whittle away at Toyota’s perceived tech prowess image.
Perhaps you did the math and the bean counters determined it to be of no economic benefit. Where have we heard that before?
Anyway I am truly looking forward to the two-mode hybrid push in the spring and summer for the Tahoe, Yukon, and later the Escalade. Beyond that the introduction of hybrids about every three months for the next 4 years as you said.
This is cause for celebration. It truly is.
Now surprise everybody with a Pontiac sports car hybrid.
Look Toyota is already working on their hybrid sports car so – you know, you have your marching orders.
I live in Philadelphia and have riden on the New Flyer Hybrids quote often. Not only do they save fuel, but they are quieter and are much faster off the line compared to the conventionally powered buses. Good job GM and start advertising these facts to get the “monkies” off your backs
Be careful, GM! Ford is striking back! Not that i didn’t warn you. A twin-turbo DI EcoBoost V6 with 410hp and 400 lb-ft sounds good to be.
On the other hand, Bob. Raising each vehicle by 6,000 doesn’t cause much damage. A base CTS with 40,000 base sounds reasonable, if i can get 35 mpg combined.
A base Malibu with 26,000 price tag is justifiable, if i can get 35 mpg.
I have done the calculation, and Malibu needs to get 31mpg city/40 mpg highway in order to achieve 35 mpg. This is based on 55% city, 45% highway
driving of 15,000 miles, which is used by fueleconomy.org. And for each 10% in weight saves 6% in fuel. And since I based this on the Chevy Malibu Hybrid, you need 49% reduction in weight, which means you need to make the WHOLE car using aluminum!!!! Unless you fit a two-mode hybrid or a diesel hybrid or plug-in electric drive. Think about it. I think the two-mode hybrid is worth at least $8,000.
I am in Philly and have seen plenty of the hybrid buses. Many people think a “real” hybrid is one that gets 40mpg as if any other effort doesn’t count. This is significant and GM should advertise it more. Where are the Toyota buses with Synergy Drive? I guess some companies only push “green” tech when it’s good for their public image. You dont get a lot of accolades for making fuel efficient buses but if you make a Prius celebs will drive it the Oscars to show how concerned about the environment they are.
I cannot understand why GM does not advertise this bus to brag about how hybrids can really make a difference. How much fuel can this vehicle save in 1 year?
How much fuel does a Prius save a year. Divide the bus savings by the Prius savings and that is how many Pruis’ the commercial can show driving out of the bus at a bus stop to better illustrate the difference in impact between the two vehicles.
Hell, I’ll drive the bus in the commercial, for free.
Dennis Gallagher
Buses are fine, but why isn’t GM also doing urban garbage trucks? They are better candidates for hybrid technology. They stop and go every 20 feet.