Products: ABC Companies is a leading provider to the passenger transportation industry, with diverse product and service offerings that cover a full spectrum of operational needs, including new and pre-owned full-size highway coach equipment, along with transit and specialty vehicles, including battery electric vehicles for operations in private and public sectors. Now offering extensive zero emissions battery electric solutions including gas/diesel to electric repower from 8 to 81 passenger vehicles.
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ABC supports customers with a comprehensive after-sale service network, providing 24-hour technical support, comprehensive service and repairs, collision services, extensive OEM and quality aftermarket parts needs for transit, motorcoach, and heavy-duty equipment from multiple strategically placed locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Additionally, private, and municipal financing and leasing options are available through the company’s financial services group – one of the largest financial service providers within the industry. Proud partners of OEM & exclusive aftermarket parts suppliers.
Manufacturers include Van Hool, Turtle Top, Coach & Equipment, Hometown Coach, Frontrunner by NEW, Optimal, Sunset Vans, Vicinity Motor Corp. and more.
Products: Since , American Seating has set the standard for product design, durability and comfort. Its first transportation seat was introduced in , and today the company remains committed to exceeding the expectations of customers as a provider of transportation seats in North America. American Seating’s achievements serve as a platform for new and innovative products that are the benchmark of the industry. American Seating is a leader in all kinds of transportation seating, including bus, rail and motorcoach markets. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI, U.S.A., American Seating employs a U.S.-based, UAW union workforce. For more information, please visit the company’s website.
Products: CR SAFGUARD® XL Fire-Resistant Seat Cushioning meets the stringent fire performance criteria within FTA Docket 90-A. The cushioning eliminates viable combustion within the largest interior fuel source. In bus interiors, the key combustible components are seating materials, and the federal regulation FMVSS 302 for seat cushioning and covers are grossly insufficient and outdated for fire safety. FMVSS 302 permits the use of polyurethane (urethane) cushioning that is so flammable the nomenclature “solidified gasoline” is often used to describe it. When exposed to even minor ignition sources, polyurethane cushioning will ignite easily, burn profusely, melt, drip and rapidly ignite the surrounding materials, while emitting large volumes of toxic smoke. The rapid spread of flames poses a serious danger to ridership, particularly, those with mobility challenges. CR SAFGUARD® XL fire-resistant cushioning is available to all seating manufacturers for O.E.M. vehicles. In addition to safety, CR SAFGUARD® XL offers major advancements in seat cushioning durability and comfort. Any vehicle seating specification can easily add CR SAFGUARD® XL. Condensed specification verbiage is available upon request.
Products: We built something the world had never seen before but wished for it. A coach custom built for North American roads. A coach that does not compromise on safety nor design, where efficiency and elegance are one. We built a coach that made a driver’s dream become a reality – to innovatively and uniquely inspire and facilitate a pleasant journey to tomorrow. May we present: the Mercedes-Benz Tourrider. With over 125 years of passion and engineering prowess, Daimler has been a pioneer in the automotive, truck and motorcoach industries. In fact, Daimler has top quality brands like Mercedes-Benz, Setra, Freightliner, Thomas Built Buses, Detroit Diesel and Western Star in its lineup and utilizes best practices to make those vehicles the best in their industry.
Products: Diamond Manufacturing offers a line of fare collection equipment to the transit industry. It supplies traditional, manual fare boxes, donation boxes and a fare box with a remote fare dump option. Diamond’s traditional fare boxes are the round units (Models H, E-5, D), which are designed to accept coins, tokens and tickets; and, rectangular units (Models RV, SV, XV, NV), which are designed to accept dollar bills, coins, tokens, tickets, passes and similar fare media. Donation boxes come in three sizes to fit most applications. These units can be mounted in a variety of ways: on the modesty panel or stanchion pole in either a vertical or horizontal position. Models F-1 and F-24 remote dump fare boxes can be mounted away from the driver with a push button dump feature. These models can be paired with smart card readers.
Products: For over 125 years, Freedman Seating has been engineering and manufacturing seats and seating-related products for many different applications. Its product lines include bus, rail, marine, delivery truck, specialty and commercial vehicle seating. Consistent growth and expansion have earned Freedman Seating recognition as a leading manufacturer of transportation seating solutions. Manufacturing seats for buses, Freedman Seating supplies the major OEMs, over 250 bus distributors, the federal government, and many states and municipalities. The family of Freedman Seating bus seats includes products for small and mid-sized coaches, paratransit vans and buses, public transit buses, and private bus operators. Recently, Freedman Seating introduced SeatLink™, a seat information tracking system powered by InterMotive Vehicle Controls, a leading manufacturer of electronic control systems. As federal and local regulations continue to advance transportation safety initiatives, including 3-point seat belt usage, SeatLink™ offers a practical extension to just offering seat belts. The system displays and tracks the occupancy and belt status of passenger seats and provides visual warnings for the driver. The system will trigger an alert if an occupant sits but does not buckle or buckles before sitting. The system also records and stores data that can be retrieved in case of an event. SeatLink™ can be expanded to work in vehicles with up to 90 passengers. It can also be battery powered, making the system retrofittable on older vehicles. Installation is simple with plug and play connections. A downloadable app lets the user custom configure the seating layout on the head unit. SeatLink™ is now available for purchase and can be integrated into most commercial and school buses. For further details, contact Freedman Seating Company at 800-443-.
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Heliox offers high-quality, heavy-duty DC fast EV charging and smart energy management solutions that are customized and adaptable to the rapidly evolving e-mobility industry. Our goal is to contribute to a sustainable world where a seamless charging experience is accessible to all. Established in , Heliox is a leading provider of fast charging systems for public transportation, e-trucks, marine vessels, mining operations, and port equipment.
In , Heliox established one of the first and largest rapid charging networks for e-bus fleets in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. To expand its reach, Heliox opened a US office in Atlanta, GA in , and later expanded further with the Heliox Technology Center, an 18,000 square foot facility, in . The Heliox USA team is responsible for various functions including management, financial and commercial services, sales and business development, project management, technical service and O&M, product development, and technical training.
All Heliox chargers listed by UL are manufactured in Minneapolis and meet the requirements of the Buy America Act (BAA).
Master’s Transportation is one of the nation’s leading providers of commercial vehicles for rent, lease and purchase. We are proud to offer new and used shuttle buses and vans, school buses, multi-function school activity buses and motor coaches. With locations nationwide and a broad selection of vehicles, we are able to meet needs quickly and seamlessly, without complications. Master’s is the largest rental and leasing bus and van dealer in the nation and can offer rentals on a daily, weekly, monthly or seasonal basis. Master’s offers in-house leasing and financing – something you can’t find anywhere else! We have six full-service, service departments and a centralized parts department, allowing us to provide service needs nationwide. We can also refurbish your shuttle bus, van or motor coach and provide you with a rental while you wait. We strive to make a significant and positive impact in the transportation industry through our commitment to quality and safety. Our core values guide us in all that we do, inspiring us to “Move People Forward”.
Products: The Micro Bird Commercial Bus line is designed and manufactured with the highest standards to ensure the best quality, durability, and safety in the industry. Its buses are built to seat up to 28 passengers and offer the best total cost of ownership. Micro Bird Commercial products are available in different lengths and configurations. Both Ford and GM chassis are available in single or dual rear wheel models. A variety of alternative fuels, such as propane and electric, are offered to help meet market needs. The Blue Bird Commercial bus dealer network offers service and parts support throughout North America to help ensure the best experience.
Products: QMF Steel, Inc., is a DBE/WBE certified business, in operation since , and a Buy America material supplier, manufacturer and fabricator for transportation clients across the U.S. ISO and AISC quality certified, QMF’s equipment can machine parts; cut materials with bundle cutting saws, angle cutting saw, plasma, sheet and tube laser; bend with a press brake, precision brake and profile bender; roll sheet; drill using a beam line; blast off mill scale; and weld using certified welders and robot welders. Parts can be used in the assembly of the vehicle systems or in the safety rails, stairs and ramps needed on ADA-compliant vehicles.
Products: RUD RotoGrip Automatic Snow Chains provide traction on snow and ice and were designed for vehicles that must be able to travel during hazardous weather conditions. RotoGrip is used for a variety of applications: rescue and emergency vehicles, fire services, public transport vehicles, road haulage, supply and distribution vehicles, and more. There are three unique RotoGrip systems to choose from based on needs: Classic, Compact Solution, and Light Truck. The Compact Solution has been developed for vehicles with limited mounting space (pneumatic suspension, low tires) and features an air up, air down system with no spring. The Classic is a tried-and-true system that works on light to heavy commercial vehicles and features an air down, spring up system. The Light Truck is designed for light-duty vehicles with or without an on-board air system. It features a space saving design and a powerful electrical linear drive. All three systems are known for their excellent quality of materials and construction and are all easy to mount. All systems can be switched on or off while the vehicle is in motion, and are affective at low speeds or up to 30 mph. RotoGrip is here to provide superior traction and increased safety. Visit the company’s website for additional information.
Electric vehicles seem to be a part of the future, but the truth is, they have been a significant part of transportation history and continue to shape how people travel. With major car companies creating different models of electric cars– like the show-stopping Tesla, or the Nissan Leaf that offers extraordinary value to consumers– EVs, or electric vehicles, will one day reign over transportation.
Electric vehicles have a long history with much progression, but they still have a long way to go before they are fully accepted as the main method of transportation. But what if electric buses could be the technology we need to help flip the switch? Keep reading to find out how much electric vehicles have changed over the years and how electric buses could transform the transportation industry.
Did you know that electric vehicles have been around since the 19th century? It all started in the early s in Hungary, the Netherlands, and the U.S. when researchers began exploring the idea of battery-powered vehicles. There had already been movement with an electric carriage, a horseless carriage that was powered by an electric motor. But, as people wanted to get around more easily and quickly, cars seemed like a more reasonable and faster alternative to horse-drawn carriages.
It wasn’t until the s that the first successful electric car was made in the US. The electric vehicle could hold up to six passengers and could reach a whopping 14 miles per hour.
The Queen Victoria Electric Car, an example of what an early electric car looked like. Image Credit: “Hugh Dolnar wrote the article from which I took the photo. I didn’t see a photo credit.“, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
This helped spark interest in electric cars, and automakers started building their own versions around the nation. Due to this sudden inspiration, electric cars reached peak popularity by and made up a majority of all vehicles on the road.
In fact, electric cars were the preferred vehicles. Gasoline cars required a lot of effort to drive, from changing gears to starting the engine with a gruesome hand crank, as well as the strong and unpleasant exhaust fumes.
However, improvements were made to the gasoline-powered car that caused the electric car to lose some momentum. The hand crank was soon replaced with an electric starter and gasoline-powered vehicles were becoming more affordable. Soon, gasoline cars started to look like a better option for Americans itching to go out and explore the nation’s growing and improved road system.
Image Credit: Klaus Nahr from Germany;cropped by uploader Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
By , electric cars practically disappeared. It wasn’t until the s when a gas shortage hit, causing gas prices to soar, that electric cars entered back into the marketplace, but gasoline-powered cars still reigned due to better performance and reliability.
Once the s hit, electric cars made became more popular as environmental concerns became a primary concern. By the peak of the 21st century, the technology of electric cars looked more promising than ever with the release of the Toyota Prius, the first majorly manufactured electric vehicle. Today, electric vehicles are on the rise and will continue to advance as more Americans demand a more efficient and eco-friendly vehicle.
There are many benefits to owning an electric vehicle, and with technology continuously advancing, there will only continue to be more.
1. They are cheaper to operate and maintain. One of the best things about owning an electric vehicle is all the money you save. An average American burns around 525 gallons of fuel a year– that sounds expensive. One of the obvious benefits is the elimination of the need to ever gas up, meaning your gas money can go towards something else.
And while the price of gas is always uncertain, an EV offers a more stable maintenance cost as they do not require gas, oil changes and other maintenance costs of a gasoline-powered car, just the occasional tire rotation and air check. Plus, all the cost of electric vehicles and their maintenance is expected to drop over the next five years as the technology improves.
2. Ride in (quieter) style. Since electric vehicles run off the pure power of electricity, they are zippier and provide a smoother ride without the roar of an engine, meaning you get some peace and quiet on your commute. One ride in an EV and you’ll never want to return to your clunky, gas-guzzling car.
3. They’re good for the environment. Obviously, this is one of the main reasons why anyone would want to drive an electric vehicle. Electric vehicles can drastically decrease the amount of emissions that contribute to global warming and pollution. Electric vehicles can not only help combat global warming, but also help improve overall public health.
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4. You can charge at home. Imagine refueling your car in the comfort of your own home. That’s possible with an electric vehicle. It’s easy to install a charging station in your home– plus, many states offer incentives, like tax breaks, if you get a charging station in your home.
While there are many benefits of electric vehicles, there are a few cons that prevent consumers from choosing an EV over a gasoline-powered car.
1. They have limited range. For now, at least. Range anxiety is understandably a huge factor for many consumers with the more affordable models only reaching about 80 to 100 miles per charge. This is an easy disadvantage to work around if a driver plans their trip accordingly and ensures they know where charging stations are located. Luckily, EVs are improving every year and before we know it, range anxiety will be a thing of the past.
2. It can take a while to charge them. It’s not as simple as stopping by a gas station and filling up in 5-10 minutes. Unfortunately, charging up can take some time depending on the model of the car. With the limited amount of charging stations around the nation too, it can be a little nerve-racking when driving long distances.
It’s recommended EV drivers charge up while they’re sleeping and learn where charging stations are. Fortunately, battery technology is constantly advancing and in the works to become more efficient, charge faster, and last longer.
3. They are more expensive to purchase. Cheaper consumer electric vehicles can run around $20k-$30k, more expensive than their gasoline-powered competitors. However, many argue that owning and maintaining an EV makes up for the initial cost in the long-run as maintenance is much cheaper and the vehicles last longer.
So if the benefits of electric vehicles outweigh the cons, why don’t you see more driving around? The transition from gas-guzzling vehicles is happening at a much slower pace than you’d think. With higher prices and range anxiety overpowering consumers’ decision process, it’s no wonder it’s been a difficult process.
Now is the time for a rEVolution more than ever—but how do we make that happen? The answer is easy: electric buses. They are a better choice because they:
1. Make Up a Majority of Emissions
It’s important to realize that large vehicles are a major factor of everyday life, along with cars that consumers drive to work, to school, to the grocery, and much more.
But have you thought about what other vehicles you see every day? Garbage trucks, commercial trucks, and most importantly, buses. People depend on bigger vehicles and couldn’t imagine their lives without them. School buses, charter buses, transit buses, and more help transport people and products every day.
Bigger vehicles may only make up about 4% of America’s vehicles on the road, but they account for 26% of American fuel use and 29% of vehicle CO2 emissions. On top of that, buses and other heavy vehicles can consume up to 14,000 gallons a year. It makes sense when you consider the size of them. Imagine the difference that could be made if cities just electrified their buses.
2. Have a Better Build
With buses driving hundreds of miles a day, they easily get worn down and require a lot of maintenance. Luckily, electric buses provide improved reliability, maintenance benefits, and improved quality of the driver’s trip. Just like consumer electric cars, electric buses are efficient, fast, and only use 20% of the raw energy of a diesel bus.
3. Are Economically Smarter
Batteries are getting cheaper, and like stated above, they last longer and the maintenance costs are drastically better. While bigger vehicles, such as buses, can be approximately 20% more expensive to purchase, their operating costs are significantly lower, saving money in the long-run.
While a diesel bus can only get around 3.9 MPG, an electric bus can reach 21 MPGe, or the miles per gallon equivalent. Plus, it’s easier and cheaper to take care of an electric vehicle that doesn’t require fluids, filters and moving parts like a traditional diesel bus. The total cost to own and operate an electric bus over its lifetime is 35% lower than traditional buses, and with battery and other costs decreasing as well, there’ll be no excuse not to implement electric buses in the next few years.
4. Can Improve the Environment and Public Health
The obvious reason why electric buses are ideal is to help protect the environment. In urban settings specifically, buses are constantly in motion and release a significant amount of emissions. An electric bus can emit 4-6x fewer greenhouse gases than a gasoline-powered bus.
Vehicle emissions not only harm the environment, but disproportionately affect people living in inner cities. Internal combustion engines release air a long list of air pollutants by first releasing primary pollutants directly into the atmosphere, and then secondary pollution from those emissions reacting with elements in the atmosphere. More than 150 million people in the U.S. currently live in cities with air quality that doesn’t meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
The American Lung Association (AMA) conducted a study showing that gasoline-powered vehicle health costs calculated to around $11.82 per gallon, with climate impacts adding another $6.55 per gallon, equaling to a total of $24 billion in health costs and $13 billion in climate costs. Switching to electric buses alone could dramatically improve air quality, health, and health costs among citizens while equally help combat environmental concerns.
The EV landscape is changing at a significant pace. With concerns like global warming, air pollution, public health, and traffic congestion, it’s a prime time for electric vehicles to step up their game.
Companies like GreenPower Motor Company Inc. are working to defeat the challenges that electric vehicles face today, especially heavy-duty vehicles like buses, by addressing problems directly in order to truly make a difference in the transportation industry.
“The main challenge urban planners face with transitioning to electric vehicles is the initial cost to purchase an electric bus,” says Brendan Riley, President of GreenPower Motor Company Inc. “Typically, an electric bus can cost up to 2x more than a traditional diesel bus, but we are working to create affordable products, and with battery prices expected to decrease over the next five years, there’s no reason why cost will be an issue anymore.”
In fact, GreenPower’s EV550 all-electric double-decker bus costs the same as a double-decker diesel bus, and with less upkeep and maintenance costs, the EV is obviously the better choice.
GreenPower’s EV550 is the world’s first all-electric double-decker bus, providing passengers a smooth, quiet, and zero-emission ride.
“Another challenge that urban planners face is the ability to charge the vehicles properly,” Riley says. Urban planners have to plan accordingly when considering charging methods. Luckily, GreenPower is constantly working on building the right tools and using smaller batteries coupled with in-route charging methods so buses that run 24/7 can make a stop at the end of their route for a quick charging session.
This also helps cities adapt to electric buses, as planners in bigger cities don’t have to worry about building charging stations, but can rather implement quick charging spots in an already established bus route.
“We use lithium-ion batteries for heavy-duty vehicles so they are capable of more range and faster charging, which is crucial for city transit,” Riley explains. GreenPower’s new EV550 double-decker bus in an example of the ever-changing battery technology; it’s able to drive an impressive 250 miles on just one single charge thanks to its lithium-ion battery.
“Urban planners also have to consider the weight of the vehicle. When you’re planning routes, you want to make sure the vehicle isn’t too heavy and won’t damage the roads,” says Riley. Electric buses can end up being 10-15% heavier than diesel buses. That’s why GreenPower is working on making models lighter and allocating their space effectively.
“Our buses are designed from day one as electric vehicles,” says Riley. “Instead of taking existing bus designs and fitting everything in them, we draw the battery and electric motor first, and then build the bus around that.” The EV550 double-decker bus can carry a total of 130 passengers– 100 seated comfortable and 30 standees. By designing a vehicle that is meant to be an electric bus, all space can be accounted for, and as battery sizes continue to decrease, electric buses will have even more room and weigh less.
People know that EVs are the future, and it’s only a matter of time before they make up a majority of the vehicles on the road. With customer perceptions changing and companies like GreenPower introducing more products and platforms than any other EV company, electric buses have the potential to make a dramatic difference.
“If we electrified all our buses, trucks, and taxis, we could get rid of two-thirds of vehicle pollution,” says Riley. “Although they only make up about 10% of vehicles on the road, they contribute to 67% of all the pollution.”
In fact, it’s expected that one-third of new transit buses will be electric by , with hopes that half will be electric by , and then 100% of fleet purchases to be all-electric by .
You don’t have to be a futurist to say this is the future. It’s happening right before our eyes, and it’s up to us be a part of the rEVolution.
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GOGO Charters is a charter bus rental service that operates in over 300 cities across the United States. With access to a variety of buses combined with superior customer service, we’ve got everything you need to schedule your next big trip.