The development and production of these hybrid-propulsion systems will be conducted at BAE Systems’ Endicott plant, with the first delivery scheduled for 2014, BAE Systems said in a news release.
Winnipeg, Manitoba–based New Flyer Industries, Inc. selected the technology for use on the new 60-foot, low-floor, rapid-transit buses, BAE Systems said.
New Flyer Industries will provide up to 29 articulated-hybrid buses for the transit agency, with an option for up to 20 additional buses at a later date.
Articulated buses are comprised of a single-deck design with two rigid sections linked by a pivoting joint, allowing for higher-passenger capacity, BAE Systems said.
Santa Clara’s new articulated buses will include the HDS300 system, Steve Trichka, vice president and general manager of HybriDrive Solutions at BAE Systems, said in the news release.
“The HDS300 system is derived from the same product line that powers 40-foot buses, so transit authorities can now benefit from the commonality of HybriDrive propulsion systems across all types of hybrid vehicles in their fleets,” Trichka said.
The company made a similar announcement about this system in April.
BAE Systems on April 24 announced it will provide its hybrid-propulsion system on 475 Nova hybrid-electric buses for the Association du transport urbain du Quebec (ATUQ).
The firm’s HybriDrive propulsion system powers nearly 4,000 buses worldwide and is the “most successful series system” in operation, the company contends.
Buses equipped with the HybriDrive series propulsion system have travelled more than 600 million miles, prevented more than 520,000 tons of carbon-dioxide emissions, and saved more than 38 million gallons of diesel fuel, according to BAE Systems.
Headquartered in Arlington, Va., BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, a global defense, security and aerospace company. Its Endicott plant is located on Clark Street.
BAE Systems, Inc. designs, develops, and manufactures a wide range of electronic systems and subsystems for both military and commercial applications; produces specialized security and protection products for law enforcement and first responders; and designs, develops, produces, and provides service support of armored-combat vehicles, artillery systems, and munitions.
Its website says the firm employs more than 88,000 globally. That figure includes about 1,350 employees in Central New York.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com