ST. CLOUD, MN, Oct. 10, 2017 /CNW/ - (TSX: NFI) New Flyer of
America Inc. ("New Flyer"), the U.S. subsidiary of New Flyer
Industries Inc. ("NFI Group"), the largest transit bus and motor
coach manufacturer and parts distributor in North America, today announced the
introduction of the next generation of its industry leading,
battery-electric heavy duty transit bus: the Xcelsior CHARGE™.
With a focus on advancing bus technology in North America, New Flyer first revealed its
battery-electric Xcelsior design in 2011, unveiled a prototype in
2012, and delivered the first bus in 2014. Over the past five
years, New Flyer conducted intensive research, development and
testing to improve the design, performance, and technological
advancement of the battery-electric Xcelsior bus, which is now
introduced as the Xcelsior CHARGE™ available in 35, 40, and 60-foot
articulated bus rapid transit models.
The Xcelsior CHARGE™ builds on the industry leading Xcelsior
transit bus platform, with extended range battery technology made
in America, electric motors with efficient regenerative energy
recovery, the highest torque available for steep grade cities such
as San Francisco and Seattle, and charging infrastructure compliant
with industry standards.
"At New Flyer of America we're working hard to provide transit
authorities and their passengers with more attractive
transportation options that they can feel good about," said
Wayne Joseph, President of New Flyer
of America. "We're committed to supporting healthy communities
through manufacturing leading zero-emission bus technology in
America."
Passengers on the battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE™ will
experience the quietest and most accessible transit bus ride
available, with improved step height, expanded front door width,
the best entry ramp ratio (1:7) in the industry for passengers with
mobility assist devices, and best-in-class passenger carrying
capacity (up to 83 passengers - seated and standing). All
accomplished by optimized battery placements to comply with maximum
gross axle and gross vehicle legal weight limits. The Xcelsior
CHARGE™ extended range configurations allow for up to 600 kWh
battery capacity obtaining realistic transit ranges of over 200
miles on single charge based on Federal Transit Administration test
protocol.
The NFI Group has over 50 years of experience in manufacturing
zero-emission buses (ZEBs).
About NFI Group
NFI Group is the largest transit bus and motor coach
manufacturer and parts distributor in North America, with 31 fabrication,
manufacturing, distribution, and service centers across
Canada and the U.S. employing over
5,800 team members.
It is North America's
heavy-duty transit bus leader and offers the largest transit bus
product line under the brand Xcelsior®, incorporating
the broadest range of drive systems available, including: clean
diesel, natural gas, diesel-electric hybrid, trolley-electric, and
battery-electric. NFI Group actively supports over 44,000
heavy-duty transit buses (New Flyer, NABI, and Orion) currently in
service, of which 6,400 are powered by electric and battery
propulsion.
NFI Group is also North
America's motor coach market leader offering the Motor Coach
Industries Inc. (MCI) J-Series, the industry's best-selling
intercity coach for 11 consecutive years, and the MCI D-Series, the
industry's best-selling motor coach line in North American history.
MCI is also the exclusive distributor of Daimler's Setra S 417 and
S 407 motor coaches in the United
States and Canada. MCI
actively supports over 28,000 coaches currently in service.
NFI Group also operates North
America's most comprehensive parts organization, NFI Parts™,
providing parts, technical publications, training, and support for
its OEM product lines (transit buses and motor coaches). All buses
and coaches are also supported by an industry-leading comprehensive
warranty, service, and support network.
Further information is available on NFI Group websites at
www.newflyer.com and www.mcicoach.com. The common shares of the NFI
Group are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol
NFI.
SOURCE New Flyer of America Inc.