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New Flyer of America Inc., a subsidiary of New Flyer Industries Inc. (“New Flyer” or the “Company”), the largest transit bus and motor coach manufacturer and parts distributor in North America, is pleased to announce the industry’s first 60-foot electric heavy-duty transit bus is to undergo testing at the Federal Transit Administration’s (“FTA”) proving grounds in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
New Flyer’s innovative XE60 battery-electric bus, and its sister XHE60 hydrogen fuel cell bus, are both powered by Siemens electric motors with rechargeable lithium-ion battery technology manufactured in Michigan. These bus models incorporate a unique two-axle drive system for added traction and enhanced safety and both produce zero tail pipe pollution and zero green-house gas emissions.
The XE60 version is an all-electric transit bus that can be offered with either extended range batteries or with en-route fast charging capability, requiring fewer on-board batteries for continuous service operations. New Flyer’s XHE60 model is a battery electric 60-foot articulated transit bus that incorporates a small hydrogen fuel cell operating as an on-board battery charger. Both the XE60 and XHE60 are built on the industry-proven and highly-reliable Xcelsior® platform, with over 8,000 buses in-service daily throughout North America.
Chris Stoddart, New Flyer Vice President of Engineering, acknowledged the significance of the launch of the test program, which also coincides with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (“USDOT”) 50th Anniversary. “We congratulate the USDOT this year on their achievement in safety, innovation and opportunity. The USDOT and FTA provide 11 billion trips on public transportation annually. New Flyer is committed to contribute our leadership, creative ideas and capabilities to solve transportation challenges that will further increase transit ridership, promote energy independence, enhance safety and protect the environment.”
Mr. Stoddart added,“We’re very proud of our innovative leadership and collaboration working with world-class electric motor, fuel cell and battery suppliers on New Flyer’s innovative 60-foot electric bus family. This program will validate our integration of advanced two-axle drive technology for adverse weather and road conditions. The testing also allows New Flyer to contribute in a significant role to the FTA’s National Fuel Cell bus program by demonstrating how advanced hydrogen fuel cells can be utilized to charge batteries on-board without using plug-in power from the utility grid, which typically requires several hours per day for complete re-charging and off-peak hours to avoid excessive power rates. The progress we’ve achieved in hydrogen fuel cell commercialization has been impressive over the past five years. We’re continuing to observe automotive companies investing heavily in this technology, which is expected to directly drive down costs, similar to what the transportation industry has experienced with batteries.”
New Flyer manufacturer’s electric buses in 35, 40 and 60-foot models. The XE60 and its sister XHE60 will be deployed initially at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (METRO) and the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit), respectively.
About The Company
The Company is the largest transit bus and motor coach manufacturer and parts distributor in North America with fabrication, manufacturing, distribution and service centers in Canada and the United States and employs approximately 5,000 team members.
Through its Canadian and U.S. subsidiaries, New Flyer Industries Canada ULC and New Flyer of America Inc., the Company is North America's heavy-duty transit bus leader and offers the broadest transit bus product line (Xcelsior® and MiDi® models), incorporating the broadest range of drive systems available, including: clean diesel, natural gas, diesel-electric hybrid, electric-trolley and now battery-electric. New Flyer actively supports over 42,000 heavy-duty transit buses (New Flyer, NABI and Orion) currently in service.
Through its Canadian and U.S. subsidiaries, Motor Coach Industries Limited and Motor Coach Industries, Inc., the Company is North America's leader in motor coaches, offering the MCI J4500, which is the industry's best-selling intercity coach for 11 consecutive years, and the MCI D-Series, the industry`s best-selling coach line in North American motor coach history. MCI is also the exclusive distributor of Setra S417 and S407 in the United States and Canada. MCI actively supports over 28,000 motor coaches currently in service and offers 24-hour roadside assistance 365 days a year.
The Company also operates North America's most comprehensive aftermarket parts organization providing support for all types of transit buses and motor coaches. All buses and coaches are supported by an industry-leading comprehensive warranty, service and support network.
Further information is available on the Company's websites at newflyer.com and mcicoach.com.The common shares and convertible unsecured subordinated debentures of the Company are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols NFI and NFI.DB.U, respectively.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements relating to expected future events and financial and operating results of the Company that involve risks and uncertainties. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, investors cannot be assured that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements, and the differences may be material. Actual results may differ materially from management expectations as projected in such forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including market and general economic conditions and economic conditions of and funding availability for customers to purchase buses and to purchase parts or services, customers may not exercise options to purchase additional buses, the ability of customers to suspend or terminate contracts for convenience, there are not yet production versions of the XHE60 and XE60 bus models, there may be no sustained customer demand for these types of sixty-foot battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses, the expected benefits for customers operating these types of buses may not be realized, and the other risks and uncertainties discussed in the materials filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available on SEDAR at sedar.com. Due to the potential impact of these factors, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law.
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