Hybrid-Electric Powered Buses

Five Metro Hybrid-Electric Powered Buses

Now In Service

Metro currently has five GM hybrid-electric powered buses in service and out on the street. Metro Transit is the first system in Wisconsin to utilize this new vehicle type.

Metro plans to use funds available from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to purchase 16 additional hybrids in 2010-2011.

• Play Video (Press Conference to Introduce New Vehicles to Community)

• Hybrid Bus Fact Sheet (PDF)

To learn more about Metro's new hybrid-electric powered buses, click on the video links below. Real Player is needed to view.

• Free Real Player Download

Allison Electric Drive System

Metro's new hybrid buses are powered by the Allison Electric Drive system, which reduces exhaust emissions up to 90% compared to conventional combustion engines.

Up to a 60% improvement in fuel economy has been demonstrated in a vehicle with an Allison Electric Drive.

• Play Video (GM Advanced Hybrid Technologies)

Regenerative Braking

Forty percent of the energy to accelerate the bus is energy saved during regenerative braking. When stopping or decelerating, vehicle energy is converted to electric energy and stored. In effect, the motor becomes a generator.

An Allison Hybrid Electric Drive System can significantly out-accelerate a vehicle equipped with a conventional drivetrain or an alternative fuel system.

• Play Video (Regeneratrive Braking and the ESS Smart Design)

King County Metro Test Program

King County Metro in Seattle Washington put Allison Electric Drive equipped New Flyer buses to an unprecedented test.

New buses were operated 36,000 miles in 120 days. Hybrid buses were then placed into fixed-route service. See the results!

• Play Video (Initial Test Program)

• Play Video (Hybrids in Service)

• Play Video (The Ride)

• Play Video (The Environment)

• Play Video (Maintenance)

Allison Electric Drive System -  EP System Familiarization

As explained by Bill Nye the Science Guy!

Learn more about the EP System, a parallel hybrid that blends both mechanical and electrical power paths to drive a vehicle.

By using a smaller internal combustion engine, and operating it only in its most efficient ranges, the EP System reduces fuel consumption and emissions and increases productivity and passenger comfort.

• Play Video (EP System Familiarization....Featuring Bill Nye the Science Guy)