Kiessling Transit has received a grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that pays for 80% of the cost of the Lightning Hybrids’ systems to be installed on Kiessling Transit’s Ford E-450 passenger buses, making them cleaner, more fuel efficient and improving braking efficiency.

The ERS is a patented, parallel hydraulic hybrid system that has no electric batteries. Instead, it applies a hydraulic system to the driveline of a vehicle to regenerate braking energy. Hydraulic pumps and a lightweight accumulator brake the vehicle, store the energy, and then use that stored energy to provide power to the wheels.

When put in service, the buses will provide an immediate positive impact on the environment due to the reduced emissions of the system. For example, vehicles with Lightning Hybrids’ technology produce half of the NO_x emissions and 25% fewer CO₂ emissions, compared to vehicles without the company’s system. In addition to these emissions reductions, the Kiessling fleet will see decreased fuel use, longer brake life, better low-end torque, and lower maintenance and operational costs.

The hydraulic hybrid product was installed and is being maintained by Lightning Hybrids’ East Coast distributor, National Fleet Hybrids, located in Attleboro, Mass.

Kiessling Transit Ford E-450 paratransit bus with Lightning Hybrids system installed. Click to enlarge.

Lightning Hybrids’ proprietary fleet data analytics software, which tracks and evaluates vehicle and system performance was tested and proven on the Kiessling fleet. The results, logged through Lightning Hybrids’ telematics systems and confirmed through Kiessling’s fuel logs, revealed the improvements in fuel economy and reductions in emissions. Driver feedback also confirmed vehicle performance benefits.

Lightning Hybrids’ hydraulic hybrid Energy Recovery System (ERS) is sold through a network of dealers and upfitters.