A
consortium consisting of the MEC, KCATA and
EPRI, was recently
formed to undertake an investigation into the
production
of a “ proof
of concept” (POC), plug-in (or on-grid) Hybrid
Electric Bus. These are hybrid electric vehicles
that can be plugged
in to the electric power grid to charge their batteries,
and also can use a hydrocarbon fueled internal
combustion engine or fuel cell as a supplementary
power source when
under heavy loads. This work is the outgrowth of
a CMAQ grant awarded to the consortium through
MARC, and is
being undertaken as the first-ever “Joint
Partnership Program” through
the FTA.
The goal is to design, build and demonstrate a
PHEV bus as a first step to commercialization.
To accomplish
this, the consortium has partnered with DaimlerChrysler and will be building the bus using their “Sprinter” chasse.
The bus will be sized as a Para-transit vehicle.
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