"INNOVATIVE ELECTRIC BUS BY NEW FLYER INCLUDES AN ENHANCED
TRACTION FEATURE"
WINNIPEG, Nov. 8, 2016 /CNW/ - (TSX: NFI) (TSX:
NFI.DB.U) New Flyer of America Inc., a subsidiary of New Flyer
Industries Inc. ("New Flyer" or the "Company"), the largest transit
bus and motor coach manufacturer and parts distributor in
North America, is pleased to
announce the industry's first 60-foot electric heavy-duty transit
bus is to undergo testing at the Federal Transit Administration's
("FTA") proving grounds in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
New Flyer's innovative XE60 battery-electric bus, and its sister
XHE60 hydrogen fuel cell bus, are both powered by Siemens electric
motors with rechargeable lithium-ion battery technology
manufactured in Michigan. These bus models incorporate a
unique two-axle drive system for added traction and enhanced safety
and both produce zero tail pipe pollution and zero green-house gas
emissions.
The XE60 version is an all-electric transit bus that can be
offered with either extended range batteries or with en-route fast
charging capability, requiring fewer on-board batteries for
continuous service operations. New Flyer's XHE60 model is a
battery electric 60-foot articulated transit bus that incorporates
a small hydrogen fuel cell operating as an on-board battery
charger. Both the XE60 and XHE60 are built on the
industry-proven and highly-reliable Xcelsior® platform,
with over 8,000 buses in-service daily throughout North
America.
Chris Stoddart, New Flyer Vice
President of Engineering, acknowledged the significance of the
launch of the test program, which also coincides with the U.S.
Department of Transportation's ("USDOT") 50th
Anniversary. "We congratulate the USDOT this year on their
achievement in safety, innovation and opportunity. The USDOT
and FTA provide 11 billion trips on public transportation
annually. New Flyer is committed to contribute our
leadership, creative ideas and capabilities to solve transportation
challenges that will further increase transit ridership, promote
energy independence, enhance safety and protect the
environment."
Mr. Stoddart added, "We're very proud of our innovative
leadership and collaboration working with world-class electric
motor, fuel cell and battery suppliers on New Flyer's innovative
60-foot electric bus family. This program will validate our
integration of advanced two-axle drive technology for adverse
weather and road conditions. The testing also allows New
Flyer to contribute in a significant role to the FTA's National
Fuel Cell bus program by demonstrating how advanced hydrogen fuel
cells can be utilized to charge batteries on-board without using
plug-in power from the utility grid, which typically requires
several hours per day for complete re-charging and off-peak hours
to avoid excessive power rates. The progress we've achieved
in hydrogen fuel cell commercialization has been impressive over
the past five years. We're continuing to observe automotive
companies investing heavily in this technology, which is expected
to directly drive down costs, similar to what the transportation
industry has experienced with batteries."
New Flyer manufacturer's electric buses in 35, 40 and 60-foot
models. The XE60 and its sister XHE60 will be deployed
initially at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation
Authority (METRO) and the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC
Transit), respectively.
About The Company
The Company is the largest transit bus and motor coach
manufacturer and parts distributor in North America with fabrication, manufacturing,
distribution and service centers in Canada and the
United States and employs approximately 5,000 team
members.
Through its Canadian and U.S. subsidiaries, New Flyer Industries
Canada ULC and New Flyer of America Inc., the Company is
North America's heavy-duty transit
bus leader and offers the broadest transit bus product line
(Xcelsior® and MiDi® models), incorporating
the broadest range of drive systems available, including: clean
diesel, natural gas, diesel-electric hybrid, electric-trolley and
now battery-electric. New Flyer actively supports over 42,000
heavy-duty transit buses (New Flyer, NABI and Orion) currently in
service.
Through its Canadian and U.S. subsidiaries, Motor Coach
Industries Limited and Motor Coach Industries, Inc., the Company is
North America's leader in motor
coaches, offering the MCI J4500,which is the industry's
best-selling intercity coach for 11 consecutive years, and the MCI
D-Series, the industry`s best-selling coach line in North American
motor coach history. MCI is also the exclusive distributor of Setra
S417 and S407 in the United States
and Canada. MCI actively supports
over 28,000 motor coaches currently in service and offers 24-hour
roadside assistance 365 days a year.
The Company also operates North
America's most comprehensive aftermarket parts organization
providing support for all types of transit buses and motor coaches.
All buses and coaches are supported by an industry-leading
comprehensive warranty, service and support network.
Further information is available on the Company's websites at
www.newflyer.com and www.mcicoach.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, customers may not exercise options to purchase
additional buses, the ability of customers to suspend or terminate
contracts for convenience, there are not yet production versions of
the XHE60 and XE60 bus models, there may be no sustained customer
demand for these types of sixty-foot battery-electric and hydrogen
fuel cell buses, the expected benefits for customers operating
these types of buses may not be realized, 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.