Ann Arbor gets its first hybrid transit bus

The city of Ann Arbor MI recently announced plans to to replace their entire transit bus fleet with hybrid versions as the fleet is turned over in the next few years. On Wednesday, they took delivery of the first of fifteen buses that will enter service this month. Five more buses will arrive next March and eventually all 69 buses will be replaced. The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority buses are equipped with the GM-Allison Two-Mode hybrid system. The first twenty buses are expected to save over 811,000 gallons of diesel over their twelve-year service life.

[Source: General Motors]

GM-Allison Hybrid Buses Arrive in Southeast Michigan

Ann Arbor first Metro Detroit community to use GM-Allison hybrid system

Ann Arbor, Mich. - The first of 20 new GM-Allison hybrid-powered buses unveiled today by the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority's (AATA) fleet marks next step in AATA's continuing effort to minimize negative impacts on the environment and cut operating costs.

Fifteen new hybrid-powered buses will begin service in the next two weeks with an additional five delivered in March 2008. Seven more buses will join the fleet within 18 months. Long term, AATA plans to replace all 69 buses in their fleet with hybrids making them the first public transit operator in the Midwest to state such an intention.

The AATA fleet joins more than 830 GM-Allison hybrid-equipped buses operating in 74 cities in North America and Europe. Orders for an additional 379 hybrid bus systems in North America will be fulfilled throughout 2007.

AATA anticipates a reduction in carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons of up to 90 percent and up to 50 percent in carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide. The 20 new hybrid buses will save approximately $2.5 million in fuel costs and 811,200 gallons of fuel - equivalent to more than 19,000 barrels of oil - over a twelve-year period.

"Our new buses will run cleaner and more quietly," said Terry Black, AATA Manger of Maintenance. "The new buses will also contribute to reducing our country's dependence on foreign oil."

The hybrid buses are powered by an advanced parallel hybrid-electric powertrain using an advanced battery pack, two powerful electric motors and a traditional diesel engine. The electrical and diesel systems work together to reduce fuel consumption and emissions while improving performance.

"GM is committed to applying hybrid technology to the highest fuel-consuming vehicles on the road, including mass transit buses," said Beth Lowery, GM vice president, environment, energy and safety policy. "Successful projects like this one require strong partnerships between industry and government, and we commend the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority for their decision to choose GM-Allison's hybrid technology and their commitment to improving fuel economy and reducing emissions in their communities."

According to a study conducted in 2006 by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, transit buses with GM-Allison's hybrid technology deliver up to 75 percent better fuel economy than traditional transit buses, and reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) up to 39 percent, particulate matter (PM) up to 97 percent, carbon monoxide up to 60 percent and hydrocarbons up to 75 percent. The report was published in December 2006, and can be viewed at http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/fleettest/pdfs/40585.pdf.

Other benefits of GM-Allison hybrid-powered buses include reduced maintenance costs resulting from extended brake, engine oil and transmission oil life, superior torque, and better acceleration.

The clean hybrid technology is licensed by General Motors to Allison Transmission, which manufacturers and sells the hybrid transmission. Gillig Corp., located in Hayward, Calif. manufactures the buses.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 280,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2006, nearly 9.1 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.

About Allison Transmission, Inc.

Allison Transmission, Inc. (Allison) is the premier global provider of commercial duty automatic transmissions and hybrid propulsion systems. Allison products are specified by over 250 of the world's leading vehicle manufacturers and are used in many market sectors including bus, refuse, fire, construction, distribution, military and specialty applications. Founded in 1915, the Allison business is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A. and employs 3,600 people. Regional headquarters with dedicated support staff are located in China, The Netherlands, Brazil and Japan. With a global presence in 80 countries, Allison has over 1,500 distributor and dealer locations. Allison generates annual revenues in excess of $2 billion. More information about Allison is available at www.allisontransmission.com.