BAE Systems Powering Hybrid Buses for Seattle

“Seattle has been a leader in championing hybrid technology for urban transit,” said Rich Hopf, general manager of transport systems for BAE Systems in Johnson City, New York. “Incorporating our hybrid system into the King County fleet is a powerful combination toward the goals of reducing fleet emissions and combating the escalating cost of diesel fuel."

The HybriDrive system consists of a generator, an electric motor, and an energy storage system managed by computerized controls. A diesel engine that turns the generator operates independent of the electric drive motor, allowing it to run at nearly consistent speed for optimum efficiency. The system also uses no mechanical transmission, a major maintenance item on conventional diesel buses.

The system meets the durability requirements of demanding urban transit operations, currently powering more than 2,000 buses and transporting more than a million passengers daily. BAE Systems powers the world’s largest hybrid bus fleet, in New York City, and hybrid bus fleets in cities including San Francisco, Toronto, and London. To date, these buses have accumulated more than 100 million miles, saved nearly 5 million gallons of diesel fuel, and prevented more than 50,000 tons of carbon emissions.

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems is the premier global defense, security and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 105,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems’ sales exceeded US $34.4 billion (£18.5 billion) in 2008.

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