Working Together with U.S., Canadian and European Transit, Rail and Utility Partners and Industry Organizations
WINNIPEG, Aug. 18, 2016 /CNW/ - (TSX: NFI) (TSX: NFI.DB.U) New Flyer of America Inc., a subsidiary of New Flyer Industries Inc. ("New Flyer" or the "Company"), the largest heavy-duty transit bus and motor coach manufacturer and parts distributor in North America, announced today that it is leading the effort and providing technical support towards the development of second generation on-route and depot charging systems for transit buses in North America. New Flyer's design and manufacturing experience in electric buses dates back 40 years, and includes over 6,000 deliveries of diesel-electric, trolley-electric (with overhead catenary power), battery-electric and fuel cell electric buses.
Several professional organizations are actively involved in overhead charging standards development, including the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the American Public Transportation System (APTA), the Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC), CALSTART, and the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE). The forthcoming standard is SAE J3105, electric vehicle power transfer system using a mechanized coupler. Similar standards for transit plug-in charging (SAE J3068) and wireless charging (SAE J2954) are also in process.
Chris Stoddart, Vice President of Engineering and Customer Service, noted, "New Flyer recognized when we introduced our first generation overhead charging system that the industry would come together with a second generation design that utilized completely interoperable charging infrastructure, and frankly, that's what the customers are asking for. The system needs to have the same level of simplicity when parking at a bus stop, incorporating the safety and reliability provisions expected of our industry. With our direct involvement, an industry coalition has now been formed and is cooperatively moving forward, building upon the experience New Flyer gained with its first generation design and intellectual property. We appreciate the technical collaboration of all partners, including other bus manufacturers, equipment manufacturers and transit agencies who are actively contributing to these efforts. The role the Electric Power Research Institute in overseeing this coalition has been essential."
New Flyer supports the common charging standards developed by European equipment manufacturers who have extensive expertise in high voltage rail. The industry standard system will include wireless communication, contacting plates and equipment that automatically connect the vehicles for power transfer. European bus manufacturers joining this effort include Volvo, Irizar, Solaris, VDL, along with charging system suppliers ABB, Heliox and Siemens.
Mr. Stoddart added, "New Flyer has no intentions of manufacturing charging equipment or the associated power infrastructure. That's no different than our approach to diesel, natural gas and hydrogen fueling systems. We view our role to contribute our extensive electric bus experience to engage highly qualified high voltage electrical equipment manufacturers in this effort and ensure their safe and cost effective charging systems interact seamlessly with the New Flyer Xcelsior®, the industry's best value and most reliable electric bus."
New Flyer recently committed to participate in a proposed Pan-Ontario electric bus demonstration and integration trial. Mr. Stoddart noted the importance of collaborating in these types of demonstration programs with utility companies, transit agencies, and charging equipment manufacturers: "New Flyer's objective in contributing our technical and financial resources is to provide solutions to the current barriers of adoption for battery-electric heavy duty transit buses." The outcome of these types of programs is expected to lead towards: reducing the cost of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, enabling technology development to support grid integration, enabling communication to manage vehicle charging loads, and support the harmonization of global transit infrastructure standards.
New Flyer assembles battery-electric buses from 35 to 60 feet, and has been a named bus and charging system provider on several announced U.S. Federal Transit Administration Low or No Emission Vehicle Deployment Programs. These programs include the deployment of New Flyer battery-electric buses with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), Utah Transit Authority (UTA), Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet), Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District and Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) of Albany, New York.
About The Company
The Company is the largest transit bus and motor coach manufacturer and parts distributor in North America with fabrication, manufacturing, distribution and service centers in Canada and the United States and employs approximately 5,000 team members.
Through its Canadian and U.S. subsidiaries, New Flyer Industries Canada ULC and New Flyer of America Inc., the Company is North America's heavy-duty transit bus leader and offers the broadest transit bus product line (Xcelsior® and MiDi® models), incorporating the broadest range of drive systems available, including: clean diesel, natural gas, diesel-electric hybrid, electric-trolley and now battery-electric. New Flyer actively supports over 42,000 heavy-duty transit buses (New Flyer, NABI and Orion) currently in service.
Through its Canadian and U.S. subsidiaries, Motor Coach Industries Limited and Motor Coach Industries, Inc., the Company is North America's leader in motor coaches, offering the MCI J4500,which is the industry's best-selling intercity coach for 11 consecutive years, and the MCI D-Series, the industry`s best-selling coach line in North American motor coach history. MCI is also the exclusive distributor of Setra S417 and S407 in the United States and Canada. MCI actively supports over 28,000 motor coaches currently in service and offers 24-hour roadside assistance 365 days a year.
The Company also operates North America's most comprehensive aftermarket parts organization providing support for all types of transit buses and motor coaches. All buses and coaches are supported by an industry-leading comprehensive warranty, service and support network.
Further information is available on the Company's websites at www.newflyer.com and www.mcicoach.com. The common shares and convertible unsecured subordinated debentures of the Company are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols NFI and NFI.DB.U, respectively.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements relating to expected future events and financial and operating results of the Company that involve risks and uncertainties. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, investors cannot be assured that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements, and the differences may be material. Actual results may differ materially from management expectations as projected in such forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including whether charging standrads can be affectively implemented and enforced, whether the expected benefits arising from the implemnetations of such standards will be achieved and the other risks and uncertainties discussed in the materials filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Due to the potential impact of these factors, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law.
SOURCE New Flyer Industries Inc.
Image with caption: "Rendering of the Proposed Overhead Charging System for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority LA Metro Orange Line Electric Bus Program (New Flyer's Xcelsior® XE60 Articulated Electric Bus shown with a Siemens Overhead Rapid Charger). (CNW Group/New Flyer Industries Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160818_C4234_PHOTO_EN_755784.jpg
Image with caption: "New Flyer Industries Inc. (CNW Group/New Flyer Industries Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160818_C4234_PHOTO_EN_755775.jpg
Jon Koffman, Investor Relations, Tel: 204-224-6672
Share this article