California-based transit bus producer Gillig has delivered a number of of its new-generation Battery Electrical Buses to the Counties of Kaua’i, Maui and Hawai’i Island. The brand new 35-foot buses have been displayed on the latest Driving Hawai’i Ahead occasion in Honolulu, which introduced collectively officers from all of Hawai’i’s 4 counties to showcase statewide dedication to sustainable public transportation.
These new Gillig Battery Electrical buses symbolize the most recent era of zero-emission automobiles constructed on Gillig’s Low-Ground platform, which has been examined over many years within the typically corrosive and difficult Hawaiian panorama. Every new bus is provided with 686 kWh of onboard vitality storage.
“In 2020, our first electrical bus, born in Livermore, California and manufactured by Gillig, arrived on our shores with nice anticipation,” mentioned John Nouchi, Deputy Director of Transportation Providers for the Metropolis and County of Honolulu. “We instantly put that bus to the check. It effortlessly traversed each nook of this island… tackling our most demanding routes. Its efficiency exceeded all our expectations.”
The 17 Gillig Battery Electrical Buses at the moment in service throughout O?ahu common as much as 200 miles per day, because of revolutionary scheduling and mid-day charging methods. The brand new era buses now being delivered to Kaua’i, Maui, and Hawai’i Island provide over 35% extra onboard vitality storage, delivering prolonged vary and operational flexibility. Honolulu anticipates including as much as 78 of those next-generation Battery Electrical Buses within the coming years, and plans to function a completely zero-emission fleet by 2035.
“For greater than 40 years, we’ve labored alongside Honolulu to help secure, dependable transit,” mentioned Derek Maunus, CEO of Gillig. “Now, seeing all 4 counties come collectively to drive Hawai’i ahead—every with our latest era Battery Electrical Buses—is extremely significant.”
Funding for the multi-county procurement included $11.2 million from the Federal Transit Administration’s Low or No Emission and Bus and Bus Services packages, $3.53 million from the Hawai’i State Power Workplace through Volkswagen Settlement funds, and extra county contributions.
