Complete Coach Works to deliver first ZEPS bus
Richland WA: With the help of a CALSTART* grant that was directed to Washington state by US Senator Patty Murray, Ben Franklin Transit is working with Southern California-based Complete Coach Works (CCW) to develop an all-electric remanufactured transit bus that has the capability of going over 100 miles.
While an electric bus is innovative in itself, CCW is taking it one step further by significantly reducing the carbon footprint involved with building a transit bus by remanufacturing an existing bus into like-new condition, reducing capital expenditures in the process. Not only are carbon emissions reduced through this approach, but landfill pollution is reduced as well. When Ben Franklin Transit heard about this environmentally sustainable approach and what CCW was doing, the agency became part of a demonstration program and committed one of its buses.
“This is great news for Tri-Cities residents and businesses,” said Senator Murray. “As Chair of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, I was proud to help direct this funding to Washington state, and pleased that the bus will be operating soon in the Tri-Cities. I applaud the entire Ben Franklin Transit team for their work and I look forward to seeing the bus on Tri-City streets in the new year.”
Tim Fredrickson, General Manager of Ben Franklin Transit is excited that the Tri-Cities agency was selected for the demonstration project. “At Ben Franklin Transit we are very happy to be a part of this project. We have been involved in another alternative energy demonstration and we have never been shy about experimenting with applications that make sense for the industry. However, this demonstration project may prove to be the future of electric public transportation for the next generations. We have long thought that the “holy grail” of transportation is a non-polluting, heavy duty, long range battery and electric motor combination. At BFT our Board of Directors and staff are 100% committed to this project and are excited to be a part of our industry’s future. We especially wish to express our appreciation to Complete Coach Works for that insight and development of this proposal, to CalStart for their understanding of the needs of our industry, and to Senator Murray for her vision of a new transportation future.”
Mike Kluse, Director, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory stated “PNNL has done extensive research on how electric vehicles can be widely adopted with minimal impact on the US electric grid, so we are thrilled to see more EVs in our community. PNNL is eager to participate in BFT’s electric bus project.
“Remanufacturing is a perfect solution to the industry’s current problems,” believes Macy Neshati, VP of Sales and Marketing at CCW. “It reduces waste at land-fills, transforms buses into like-new condition and is nearly half the cost of a new bus.”
Neshati thinks that the topic of zero emission technology in general will only be successful if it is made viable and competitive. “Our research started with a defined goal to develop a remanufactured all-electric transit bus, one which agencies can afford and operate without limitations of adjusting their routes, or installing expensive charging stations,” he said. “Our Zero Emission Propulsion System, dubbed “ZEPS” for short, is the world’s first and only remanufactured all-electric transit bus.”
“For the past three years a team of Tri-City individuals have been working with the Mid-Columbia Energy Initiative (MCEI) to transform this community into The Energy Hub of the State of Washington,” said Gary Petersen, TRIDEC/MCEI. “This new all-electric bus for Ben Franklin Transit will provide a statement to the rest of Washington state, that the Tri-Cities is very solidly working in the ‘electric vehicle’ arena!”
“This innovative effort helps continue to position the Tri-Cities as a regional and national leader in clean energy technology research and development,” said U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Energy. “The electrification of transportation has the potential to save money on operating costs, while also reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil. I congratulate Ben Franklin Transit for its leadership on incorporating cutting-edge energy technology into community transit operations.”
Ben Franklin Transit’s bus, when completed, will have all electrical components, auxiliary wiring, seats, air conditioning systems and flooring replaced with high quality new parts. The all-electric drive system, motor, controller and advanced Li-ion battery packs will be installed, as will a new, energy efficient air conditioning system. The remanufacturing process is so detailed and complete that the bus will be issued a new title and current year registration. Because CCW made a point to source as many USA parts and components as possible, the bus is “Buy America” compliant.
Ben Franklin Transit, in collaboration with CCW, evaluated the bus route that will benefit the most from the deployment of the electric transit bus. Ben Franklin Transit Route 23/26 is currently a good fit for this all-electric transit bus. Because of frequent stops within a total
8-mile loop and low average speed, the route provides ideal conditions for the regenerative braking-enabled ZEPS bus.
Since any low-floor bus can be converted to all-electric, this approach provides a flexible platform for remanufactured zero emission buses. This innovative solution, is one to watch – or perhaps, like Ben Franklin Transit, one to explore first-hand.
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*CALSTART is a non-profit organization that acts as a catalyst for the growth of the national clean transportation technology industry. CALSTART has nearly 150 member companies and organizations representing a wide variety of clean and low carbon fuels, technologies, and vehicles. For further information visit www.calstart.org
SunLine Commuter Bus Conversion Awarded to CCW
Complete Coach Works is proud to announce an award from SunLine Transit Agency to convert the interiors of traditional transit buses to over the road commuter buses. A total of four 2008 model year New Flyer C40LF CNG powered low floor buses will go through this conversion process in the next few weeks. The project will feature stripping and replacing the exterior graphics to reflect SunLine’s Commuter Link Paint Scheme. The seats will be replaced with high back reclining seats, and overhead parcel racks will be installed.
The finished buses will launch SunLine’s new Commuter Link 220 service from the Coachella Valley to the City of Riverside. SunLine Transit Agency is a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) created in 1977 to provide transportation to its member entities, Riverside County and the cities within Coachella Valley, covering an area of over 1,120 square miles.
AVTA Awards another Refurbishment Project to CCW
Around this time last year, Complete Coach Works had successfully delivered the first of a thirteen bus rehab project for Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA). Upon completion, the AVTA riders were impressed by the newly renovated interiors, and new graphic scheme on each bus. Cleaner engines and diesel particular traps were also installed. Today begins another step towards modernizing AVTA’s as they have just awarded another contract to Complete Coach Works for the refurbishment of thirteen MCI Commuter Coaches.
Similar to the last refurbishment project, these Commuter Coaches will receive a new paint scheme that will increase the fleet’s curb appeal. The engines, transmissions, suspensions, and differentials will be rebuilt, a new exhaust system will be installed, including diesel particulate filters, and many other subcomponents will be replaced with new.
The interior of the bus will also receive a light rehab involving replacing the floor coverings around the driver’s area and entry, as well as the seats and walls receiving a full steam cleaning treatment.
AVTA has tripled the number of passenger trips in just over a decade of operation. Founded in 1992, AVTA provides more than 3 million trips annually throughout the Antelope Valley which serves the cities of Palmdale, Lancaster, and Northern Los Angeles County.
Long Beach Transit Awards Hybrid Engine Rebuilds to CCW
Complete Coach Works is proud to announce a newly awarded contract from Long Beach Transit to rebuild Gasoline powered Hybrid Engine Kits.
This rebuild contract will involve disassembling, cleaning and inspecting the engines, replacing all pistons, ring sets, bushings, and bearings with OEM quality parts, reconditioned cylinder heads, and replacing all gaskets, seals, oil pumps, and water pumps with new parts.
Upon completing each engine assembly, Complete Coach Works will be placing each engine through a comprehensive dyno test to insure each engine performs at peak performance for Long Beach Transit.
These kits will provide Long Beach Transit with a consistent supply of high quality rebuilt hybrid engines to install into their 2004-09 year model New Flyer bus fleet. Approximately twenty-five engines will be rebuilt each year using Complete Coach Works’ newly renovated Engine Rebuild Center.
Currently there are two engines going through the rebuild process. We look forward to delivering these engines and exceeding Long Beach Transit’s expectations with our superior quality and customer service.
Long Beach Transit is one of the largest municipal public transit systems in Los Angeles County, and is ranked in the top ten best transportation organizations in the country for their size. Each year they provide transportation service to over 27 million riders.
For over 25 years, Complete Coach Works (CCW) has offered a vast array of solutions for their customer’s transportation needs. Whether the need is for collision repair, a complete interior rehab, converting a fleet to alternative fuels, or a completely remanufactured vehicle, CCW has the necessary experience to provide the transit industry a one stop shop.
CCW’s team of experts can comply with today’s demanding new standards, from drive train upgrades that meet today’s stringent emission standards to ADA complaint accessibility, GPS systems for Automated Vehicle Location systems to full multiplexing PLC based systems. For more information visit CCW’s website at: http://www.completecoach.com/