MTD becomes first in the nation with
commercial order of 60' hydrogen fuel cell buses
ST. CLOUD, MN, Feb. 25, 2020 /CNW/ - (TSX: NFI) New Flyer of
America Inc. ("New Flyer"), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. ("NFI"),
one of the world's leading independent global bus manufacturers,
today announced that the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District
("MTD") has awarded New Flyer a contract for two zero-emission,
hydrogen fuel cell-electric sixty-foot Xcelsior CHARGE H2™
heavy-duty transit buses (for a total of four equivalent
units).
Driven by a mission of leading the way to greater mobility, MTD
is the first in the nation to commercially order 60'
zero-emission, hydrogen fuel cell buses. The purchase, supported by
the Center for Transportation and the Environment, continues to
support MTD's 2014 strategic plan which includes a goal to deliver
high quality traditional and innovative transportation services
that are safe, reliable, environmentally responsible, and user
friendly. Since 1993, New Flyer has delivered 175 buses to MTD, and
today its fleet is 85% hybrid.
The Xcelsior CHARGE H2™ bus is a battery-electric vehicle using
compressed hydrogen as an energy source, as well as Ballard Power
Systems fuel cell technology. Fuel cell electric technology
complements battery-electric propulsion with the ability to provide
extended range of fully zero-emissions operations.
"New Flyer congratulates MTD on this milestone accomplishment in
America's zero-emission adoption, with the first commercial order
of sixty-foot fuel cell-electric buses," said Chris Stoddart, President, New Flyer. "Since
1993, we have worked closely alongside MTD to transform mobility in
the Champaign, Urbana, and Savoy regions with innovative, fully
accessible, and more sustainable transit. Today, we celebrate
another accomplishment in a longstanding partnership that is
pioneering a zero-emission future powered by fuel-cell electric
propulsion."
MTD is the public transportation provider in the Champaign, Urbana, and Savoy regions of Illinois, also serving the University of Illinois. It delivers nearly 12
million rides per year through a full range of mobility services
including bus service, ADA paratransit service, rural service, half
fare cab, MCORE, the Illinois Terminal, and efforts to encourage
walking, biking, and ride sharing.
"We're proud to rely on New Flyer through the continued
evolution of the MTD fleet," said Karl
Gnadt, Managing Director of MTD. "For years we have counted
on New Flyer buses for safe, reliable, and efficient
transportation, and our future with zero-emission Xcelsior CHARGE
H2™ buses will bring cleaner air, quiet transportation, and
healthier environments to our community. Together, we are truly
leading the way to greater mobility."
New Flyer manufactures the Xcelsior CHARGE H2™ in forty and
sixty-foot lengths. Built on the proven Xcelsior®
platform, it utilizes the same robust electric propulsion system as
the Xcelsior CHARGE™ battery-electric bus, featuring
industry-proven Siemens and ZF components. For more information on
the Xcelsior CHARGE H2™ visit newflyer.com/buses/CHARGEH2/.
New Flyer has been manufacturing zero-emission buses for more
than 50 years, with more electric buses on the road in America than
any other bus manufacturer. With nearly 90 years of experience in
manufacturing, New Flyer today supports growing North American
cities with sustainable buses, technology, and infrastructure. It
also operates the Vehicle Innovation Center, the first and only
innovation lab of its kind dedicated to advancing bus technology
and providing essential workforce development through electric bus
training. New Flyer was the first bus manufacturer in the world to
sign on to the Shared Mobility Principles for Livable Cities, and
is currently developing automated bus technology to improve safety
in public transit.
About NFI
With 9,000 team members operating from more than 50 facilities
across ten countries, NFI is a leading independent global bus
manufacturer providing a comprehensive suite of mass transportation
solutions under brands: New Flyer® (heavy-duty transit
buses), Alexander Dennis Limited (single and double-deck buses),
Plaxton (motor coaches), MCI® (motor coaches),
ARBOC® (low-floor cutaway and medium-duty buses), and
NFI Parts™. NFI buses and motor coaches incorporate the widest
range of drive systems available including: clean diesel, natural
gas, diesel-electric hybrid, and zero-emission electric (trolley,
battery, and fuel cell). In total, NFI now supports over 105,000
buses and coaches currently in service around the world. NFI common
shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol
NFI. News and information are available at www.nfigroup.com,
www.newflyer.com, www.mcicoach.com, www.arbocsv.com,
www.alexander-dennis.com, and www.nfi.parts.
About New Flyer
New Flyer is North America's
heavy-duty transit bus leader and offers the most advanced product
line under the Xcelsior® and Xcelsior CHARGE™ brands. It
also offers infrastructure development through New Flyer
Infrastructure Solutions™, a service dedicated to providing safe,
sustainable, and reliable charging and mobility solutions. New
Flyer actively supports over 41,000 heavy-duty transit buses (New
Flyer, NABI, and Orion) currently in service, of which 7,300 are
powered by electric motors and battery propulsion and 1,600 are
zero-emission. Further information is available at
www.newflyer.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements
relating to expected future events and financial and operating
results of NFI Group that involve risks and uncertainties. Although
the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are
based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions,
investors cannot be assured that actual results will be consistent
with these forward-looking statements, and the differences may be
material. Actual results may differ materially from management
expectations as projected in such forward-looking statements for a
variety of reasons, including market and general economic
conditions and economic conditions of and funding availability for
customers to purchase buses and to purchase parts or services,
customers may not exercise options to purchase additional buses,
the ability of customers to suspend or terminate contracts for
convenience and the other risks and uncertainties discussed in the
materials filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities
and available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Due to the potential
impact of these factors, the NFI Group disclaims any intention or
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,
unless required by applicable
law.
SOURCE New Flyer of America Inc.