WINNIPEG, Oct. 10, 2014 /CNW/ - (TSX: NFI) (TSX: NFI.DB.U)
New Flyer Industries Inc. ("New Flyer" or the "Company"), the
leading manufacturer of heavy-duty transit buses in the United States and Canada, unveiled today the addition of a
zero-emission battery-electric propulsion system to its
commercially available lineup of Xcelsior® transit bus
models at the American Public Transit Association Expo tradeshow in
Houston, Texas.
The New Flyer battery-electric bus is the latest evolution of
the highly successful Xcelsior heavy-duty transit bus
platform. "We're very excited about the addition of the
battery-electric propulsion XE40 to our proven bus portfolio," said
Paul Soubry, New Flyer President and
Chief Executive Officer. "In addition to clean diesel, natural
gas, diesel-electric hybrid, electric trolley and fuel cell, our
customers now have a commercially available and cost effective
all-electric propulsion option that can integrate seamlessly with
their existing transit fleet. We believe electrification of
transit buses was not a matter of 'if', but rather 'when'."
With more than 4,400 Xcelsior buses delivered or on order
throughout North America, New
Flyer has demonstrated industry leading reliability, providing both
passengers and drivers with safe, quiet and dependable public
transportation. The XE40 features:
- A New Flyer integrated energy storage system,
- A Siemens electric drive system,
- Proven electric subsystems and accessories currently available
on the Xcelsior hybrid variants, and
- Depot charging capability and an Eaton en-route conductive charging
capability.
By replacing conventional mechanical power train systems, such
as engines, transmissions fuel systems and complete exhaust
after-treatment, with a high efficiency electric drive, the XE40
requires less maintenance throughout its life. The lithium ion
battery packs have the ability to receive a partial recharge using
a regenerative braking system, which is ideally suited for the
typical start-and-stop duty cycle of a transit bus. Range is
dependent on the unique operations and route structure of each
customer with the capability of scalable battery capacities between
100 and 300 kWh.
"New Flyer has been the innovation leader for the North American
heavy-duty transit industry for decades. We have more than 20
years of extensive experience with electric vehicle technology
including hybrid buses, trolley buses, and fuel-cell hybrid buses,"
notes Chris Stoddart, New Flyer's
Vice President of Engineering and Service. "We have designed
the XE40 with public transit agencies in mind using components and
systems that are Buy America compliant and are manufactured and
supported by long time supply chain partners. The bus can be
charged at a depot or utilize a single pantograph interface
providing rapid en-route conductive charging that can be integrated
into normal transit dwell times. This allows the bus to be
operated with the same duty cycle as a conventional transit
bus."
New Flyer's commitment to zero-emission fuel cell technology
began in 1995 with the delivery of the first 40-foot hydrogen fuel
cell bus in North America. The Company's zero-emission transit
bus product line also includes electric trolley and
battery-electric propulsion variants, a total of 362 which are in
service today. In 2012, New Flyer unveiled its battery electric
pilot bus, along with partners Manitoba Hydro, Red River College, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries,
Manitoba Government and Winnipeg Transit. The pilot bus has
undergone extensive all weather service testing and in March 2014 it began shuttle service
operation.
To date, New Flyer has built six XE40's for North American
customers, and expects five of them to enter service in the coming
weeks. The sixth vehicle has commenced its FTA new bus model
testing at the Altoona Bus Research and Testing Center in
Altoona, PA.
As with all New Flyer buses, the XE40 is delivered with New
Flyer's commitment to lifetime customer care, which includes a
comprehensive product warranty, maintenance and operations
training, spare parts and an extensive network of in-service
support professionals.
About New Flyer
New Flyer is the leading manufacturer
of heavy-duty transit buses in the United
States and Canada. The Company is the industry
technology leader and offers the broadest product line of transit
buses including drive systems powered by: clean diesel, natural
gas, diesel-electric hybrid, electric trolley and now,
battery-electric. All buses are supported by an
industry-leading comprehensive warranty and support program, and
service network. New Flyer also operates the industry's most
sophisticated aftermarket parts organization, sourcing parts from
hundreds of different suppliers and providing support for all types
of transit buses.
The New Flyer group of companies employ over 3,000 team members
with manufacturing, fabrication, parts distribution and service
centers in both Canada and the
United States. Over 32,000 New Flyer and NABI heavy-duty
transit buses are in operation today. Further information is
available on New Flyer's web site at www.newflyer.com.
The common shares and convertible unsecured subordinated
debentures of the Company are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange
under the symbols NFI and NFI.DB.U, respectively.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may
contain forward-looking statements relating to expected future
events and financial and operating results of the Company 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, there may be no demand for a battery-electric bus from
customers, customers may not exercise options to purchase
additional buses, the ability of customers to 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 Company 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 Industries Inc.