FTA will invest up to $241,065, and is requiring at least a 20% cost share for this project. Proposed projects must include at least one partner located in the state of California.

Many transit agencies have already purchased full-size hybrid electric transit buses...However, there has not been much focus on deploying this new technology to small transit vehicles. These vehicles, most commonly 22- to 25-feet in length, are generally used for demand response service, and by small urban and rural agencies. Small transit vehicle designs are varied and widespread, and include small buses, cutaways and converted vans. Introducing hybrid technology to this market can improve the fuel efficiency of small transit vehicle fleets. Since hybrids still rely on ICE’s for power, the maintenance and infrastructure requirements are largely the same as traditional small vehicles. Because of this, hybrid technology can be deployed to small agencies and remote areas much easier than other clean propulsion options.

The project should work towards facilitating the introduction of hybrid technologies to small transit vehicles. The project must include a vehicle performance evaluation, based on objective data collection and analysis, including vehicle characteristics, performance and maintenance. This evaluation should be focused on data-based analysis of vehicle specifications, which can be used as objective input for the development of standard bus procurement guidelines.

Resources

• Research Hybrid Fuel Technology Transit System (D2008-HEV-STV-TRI)