Collins Bus Corporation Completes First Hybrid-Electric Type A School Bus
Collins Bus Corporation announced today it has completed its first NEXBUS Hybrid-Electric school bus. The first bus, configured for 14 seats plus a wheelchair position will be delivered to the Napa Valley Unified School District in Napa, California. The bus is built on a Ford E-450 chassis with Azure Dynamic's parallel drive system.
Hutchinson, KS (PRWEB) -- Collins Bus Corporation announced today it has completed its first NEXBUS Hybrid-Electric school bus. The first bus, configured for 14 seats plus a wheelchair position will be delivered to the Napa Valley Unified School District in Napa, California. The bus is built on a Ford E-450 chassis with Azure Dynamic's parallel drive system.
NEXBUS is Collins' trademarked name for the series of buses using advanced technologies such as hybrid electric drive systems and other green technologies. Collins has an exclusive agreement with Azure Dynamics to provide hybrid-electric chassis for Type A school buses. Collins is the largest builder of Type A school buses and the only manufacturer capable of producing a school bus certified hybrid.
Depending on the configuration and driving conditions, the hybrid-electric school bus can achieve up to a 40% increase in fuel economy, while reducing maintenance costs by 30%. More importantly, through reduced idling, the hybrid technology can reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions by up to 30%, giving schools an opportunity to improve air quality, especially around the school where buses often sit and idle while loading or unloading students.
Kent Tyler, President of Collins Bus Corporation, said, "As the leader in the Type A School bus market, we are excited to bring another innovative product to the school bus industry. Our customers have gotten used to seeing hybrids in passenger cars and some of them personally own hybrids. Now they'll be able to use the same technology for their small school buses throughout North America."
Collins' NEXBUS Hybrid will be on display and available for test drives next week at the STN show in Reno, Nevada.
About Azure Dynamics Corporation:
Azure Dynamics Corporation (TSX: AZD) (LSE: ADC) (OTCQX: AZDDF) is a world leader in the development and production of hybrid electric and electric components and powertrain systems for commercial vehicles. Azure is strategically targeting the commercial delivery vehicle and shuttle bus markets and is currently working internationally with various partners and customers. The Company is committed to providing customers and partners with innovative, cost-efficient, and environmentally-friendly energy management solutions. For more information please visit www.azuredynamics.com.
About Collins Bus Corporation:
Collins Bus Corporation, a subsidiary of Collins Industries, Inc., markets three brands of Type-A buses throughout North America (Collins, Mid Bus, and Corbeil). They have the largest distribution network of any Type-A bus company with over 70 dealers in the United States and Canada. Collins Industries, Inc., an 80% owned subsidiary of BNS Holding, Inc., is also a leading manufacturer of ambulances (including medical attack vehicles, rescue vehicles and fire emergency vehicles), the nation's second largest manufacturer of terminal trucks and a leader in the road construction and industrial sweeper markets. For more information please visit www.collinsbuscorp.com.
SOURCE: PRWeb
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