Careful Bus Company in New York City has partnered with XL to pilot the firm’s XL hybrid system through integration with 5 of the bus company’s conventional Ford E-Series vehicles.
The retrofits of the 5 buses in question were reportedly performed within just a few hours — which has been one of the primary selling points of XL’s solutions for some time now.
The basic idea, for those unfamiliar with XL, is to provide a simple and easy-to-install hybrid system that allows for capture and reuse of the energy otherwise wasted during deceleration — via regenerative braking. It’s just a simple and cheap hybrid system meant to improve fuel efficiency, in other words.
With regard to the Careful Bus Company retrofits, they are expected to improve the buses’ miles driven per gallon by 25% and to greatly improve brake life. Carbon emissions are correspondingly expected to be slashed by around 20%. So, it’s simple, but effective.
One of the co-owners of Careful Bus Company, Marty Hoffman, commented: “We are always testing the newest technology to find ways to reduce our carbon footprint; however, even if all new school buses are available in a full-electric manner within a few years, everyone still needs a stepping stone to help the vehicles on the road in New York City tomorrow.”
Continuing: “XL’s regenerative braking energy and hybrid electrification technology really shines in New York’s environment — there’s a lot of stop-and-go driving, which can take a toll on fuel usage and brake life. Since working with XL, our maintenance team has noticed significantly extended brake lifespans, our drivers have all positive feedback on the added boost during acceleration, and we’ve reduced fuel usage, too.”
In relation to this news, Careful Bus Company is now reportedly planning for 5–10% of fleet bus purchases from here on out to be of XL hybrid electric vehicles (on a yearly accounting basis).
In related news, Blue Bird has begun gearing up for the release of its all-electric school bus offering.
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