Hybrid Electric Transit Buses Come to Duluth, Minnesota

Gillig Corporation, in the transportation industry since 1890, has delivered two Diesel/Electric Hybrid transit buses to the Duluth Transit Authority. The DTA also recieved eight Clean-Diesel buses as well. Both with the aim of reducing emissions, the hybrid buses run completely on electric motors until they reach the speed of 10 MPH.

The new Clean-Diesel buses have 90% less emissions then earlier buses and the Hybrid buses are even better. It is expected that the Clean-Diesel technology will allow the new buses to get 38% better fuel economy.

The cost of the Hybrid buses is $497,958 ea, and the cost of the Clean-Diesel buses is $308,558 ea. 80% of this expense to be picked up by the Federal Transportation Agency, and the remaining 20% by The Duluth Transit Authority, with money from their annual Property Tax Levy.

Gillig was founded in 1890 in San Fracisco, They built and modified Buggies and Carriages in the beginning, moving into motor vehicles as the technology was developed. Today Gillig only builds Transit Buses, about 1300 per year.

Gillig built its first Hybrid Diesel/Electric bus in 1996, moving to the GM Allison Hybrid Drive System in 2001. They are currently working towards a fuel cell drive train that wil give them a zero emission bus in the future.

With the new Hybrid buses acceleration will be 50% quicker. With regenerative brakeing the maintenance will be reduced, brake shoes will last longer. Oil changes and transmission servicing will be less often as well.

Using a smaller 5.9 Cummins diesel engine, the GM Allison drive system develops 4000 foot lbs of torque as it starts out using only electric motors for drive. The smaller diesel engine comes on line at 10 MPH and is assisted by the electric motors to cruising speed. This will dramatically improve economy as the Hybrid system is expected to get 60% or better improved mileage over the old buses.

Technology is advancing quickly, the day of the black smoke belching bus, stopping at every street corner is rapidly coming to an end. Before long the air quality in the center of the city will actually be breathable.