The Hybrid Has Come to Town
With a history of using the latest advancements in technology, the Greensboro Transit Authority (GTA) is taking another step forward with the arrival of Greensboro’s first diesel-electric hybrid buses.
Manufactured by California-based Gillig Bus Corporation, the transit vehicles rise to a new level in environmental sustainability by using the popular hybrid propulsion system.
Unlike a standard diesel bus, which uses 100 percent
engine power to move, GTA’s three new hybrids use electricity stored in rooftop batteries for propulsion at lower speeds found on most city streets. As the bus gains momentum, the propulsion is provided by a calculated mixture of electric and engine power. When finally reaching highway speeds, the bus then relies solely on the engine for propulsion, which is where the motor offers optimal fuel efficiency.
Also, a process called regenerative braking captures energy created every time a driver takes his or her foot off of the accelerator. When a bus comes to a stop, more power is created. For a vehicle that starts and stops at bus stops constantly, this is a true win-win!
The combination of power sources will release less pollution into the atmosphere. Tests have shown that a hybrid bus in normal operations can cut oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 50 percent!
The new hybrid buses begin service in March and will be easily recognizable by the low profile hump on the back third of the rooftop. The buses come in various service sizes, but GTA’s buses are 40 feet long, five feet longer than its current diesel fleet, to provide much-needed additional capacity on high-use routes and during peak commuting hours. Like all of GTA’s newer buses, the hybrids will offer a convenient kneeling feature, bicycle racks, wheelchair accessibility, and various safety cameras.
Check out photos of the buses on the assembly line and this spring, take a ride and join the City's “greening” movement.
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