DES PLAINES, Ill., Oct. 15, 2020 /CNW/ - (TSX: NFI) Motor Coach
Industries ("MCI"), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. ("NFI"), one of
the world's largest independent global bus manufacturers, today
announced that MCI battery-electric D45 CRTe, D45 CRTe LE, and
J4500e coaches have been approved by the California Air Resources
Board ("CARB") for the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus
Voucher Incentive Project ("HVIP"). All three models have been
approved for the highest allowable voucher of $150,000 for each MCI battery-electric coach sold
in the State of California.
The approval adds to the existing NFI zero-emission heavy-duty
transit buses eligible for vouchers, including New Flyer's 35, 40,
and 60-foot Xcelsior CHARGE™ battery-electric and 40 and 60-foot
Xcelsior CHARGE H2™ fuel-cell electric buses. Vouchers for New
Flyer's heavy-duty transit buses range from $120,000 to $300,000 per bus, depending on the model.
The HVIP program was launched in partnership between CARB and
CALSTART to help accelerate early market introduction of clean,
low-carbon hybrid and electric vehicles, and is accomplishing
this by alleviating the higher incremental cost of advanced
vehicles with its innovative voucher incentives. To view eligible
vehicles, visit
californiahvip.org/how-to-participate/#Eligible-Vehicle-Catalog.
"New Flyer has supported California's zero-emission adoption for years,
and today we expand our mass transit bus offering with HVIP
eligible MCI coaches," said Chris
Stoddart, President, New Flyer and MCI. "Building on decades
of New Flyer's electric bus design, engineering, supply chain and
manufacturing expertise, both the MCI J4500e and all-accessible MCI
D45 CRTe LE battery-electric coach models can offer sustainable
transportation, eliminating emissions while delivering
high-capacity commuter transit through and between urban
destinations. MCI electric coaches use high-torque electric drive
systems for operation at highway speeds, have long-distance range
applications, and deliver plug-in battery charging to 100 percent
in less than four hours."
By alleviating some of the upfront acquisition costs of
battery-electric coaches, operators in California can transition their existing
fleets faster to fully sustainable propulsion, enabling an exciting
step toward a clean air future creating more livable communities
and is a win for everyone.
MCI electric coaches are powered by American-made XALT batteries
and integrate the design, performance, and technology of New
Flyer's zero-emission transit buses, while leveraging New Flyer
Infrastructure Solutions™ to deliver smart charging that supports
successful electric coach deployment. To learn more, visit
www.mcicoach.com.
CARB is part of the California Environmental Protection Agency,
and is the clean air agency committed to building a greener future.
Through its administration of the HVIP program, CARB has catalyzed
electric adoption in the region, with a projected achievement of
reducing greenhouse gases in California by 40 percent by 2030. CARB helped
deploy over 4,000 vehicles and low NOx engines from over 7,000
vouchers that have been funded since 2009.
CALSTART is a member-based national nonprofit focused on
building a high-tech clean-transportation industry that creates
jobs, cuts air pollution and oil imports, and curbs climate change.
It works with the public and private sectors to remove barriers to
innovation, and drive the industry to a clean and prosperous
future.
New Flyer and MCI have been leading innovation in mobility for
90 years, today supporting North American cities with sustainable
buses and coaches, technology, and infrastructure. Together, they
also operate the Vehicle Innovation Center, the first and only
innovation lab of its kind dedicated to advancing bus technology
and providing workforce development through electric bus training,
now available online. New Flyer and MCI are also currently
developing automated technology to improve safety in public
transit.
In July 2020, NFI announced it was
combining the New Flyer transit bus and MCI motorcoach
businesses.
About NFI
With 9,000 team members in ten countries, NFI is a leading
global bus manufacturer of mass mobility solutions under the brands
New Flyer® (heavy-duty transit buses),
MCI® (motor coaches), Alexander Dennis Limited
(single and double-deck buses), Plaxton (motor coaches),
ARBOC® (low-floor cutaway and medium-duty buses),
and NFI Parts™. NFI currently offers the widest range of
sustainable drive systems available, including zero-emission
electric (trolley, battery, and fuel cell), natural gas, electric
hybrid, and clean diesel. In total, NFI supports its installed base
of over 105,000 buses and coaches around the world. NFI common
shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol
NFI. News and information is available at www.nfigroup.com,
www.newflyer.com, www.mcicoach.com, www.arbocsv.com,
www.alexander-dennis.com, and www.nfi.parts.
About MCI
MCI is North America's leading
public and private market motorcoach brand, building the J4500 (an
industry best-seller for over a decade), the all-new 35-foot J3500
model, and the workhorse D-Series including the ADA-accessible MCI
D45 CRT LE Commuter Coach and the battery-electric, zero-emission
D45 CRTe LE. MCI also provides maintenance, repair, 24-hour
roadside assistance, parts, and technician training through the
industry's only Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) accredited MCI
Academy.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements
relating to expected future events and financial and operating
results of NFI Group 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 coaches and to purchase parts or services,
customers may not exercise options to purchase additional coaches,
the ability of customers to suspend or terminate contracts for
convenience and the other risks and uncertainties discussed in the
materials filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities
and available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Due to the potential
impact of these factors, the NFI Group 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.
SOURCE Motor Coach Industries