Hybrid Bus Press Release

This ribbon-cutting ceremony represents the introduction of a new era of ultra-low-emissions public transit buses. The new bus also features the new GPS-driven "talking bus" technology, which automatically announces bus stops both visually and audibly to on-board passengers as well as externally to riders waiting at each stop. This is the second time in the last few years that SCAT has led the way in helping to lower emissions. In August of 2003, SCAT introduced its new fleet of buses that uses ultra-low sulpher diesel engines; at the time the lowest emission producing engines available.

The new SCAT bus uses a "series" hybrid-electric drive system, where the engine is completely removed from the driveline and is used only to generate electrical power. This type of hybrid architecture is especially attractive for transit systems like SCAT that experience a lot of stop-and-go driving. Conventional buses of this type are more inefficient and produce higher levels of toxic emissions because they have large diesel engines that are constantly ramping up and down - a much less efficient way to operate a power source. In SCAT's new hybrid system, a smaller engine is mated to a generator and is operated at a constant, efficient speed and power output level. When vehicle power requirements temporarily increase - such as during acceleration or hill climbing - additional power is drawn from an onboard energy storage system comprised of ultra capacitors (a new type of energy storage device). When vehicle power requirements are low, the energy storage system is recharged. Not only is engine efficiency increased, but also the vehicle is able to recapture energy whenever it slows down through a process called "regenerative braking. " The new bus' gasoline hybrid drive system, with its ultra-low emission engine, produces nearly zero particulate matter, exceeds state and federal environmental standards and will use less fuel because of its smaller engine and the use of the electrical component to drive the system for much of the time.

The Hybrid-Electric drive system was integrated into a newly refurbished 1990 conventional bus. The bus was completely refurbished inside out and then detailed with SCAT's logos and color scheme. Additionally, the new bus represents the highest form of recycling as it has taken an older bus destined for the scrap heap and that begin life anew as a brand new 2006 registered transit bus.