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GM-Allison Hybrids Meet Madison’s Clean Energy Challenge


WEBWIRE

Hybrid-Powered Buses Provide Clean Ride for City and University

MADISON, Wis. – Today’s delivery of five GM-Allison hybrid-powered buses to Metro Transit is an important step in fulfilling Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz’s commitment to the 100K Clean Energy Challenge. As part of the announcement made in April, the mayor committed to increasing fuel efficiency in the city’s fleet by pursuing the use of hybrid diesel-electric buses. The challenge seeks to reduce citywide emissions of carbon dioxide (CO 2) by 100,000 tons by 2011.

Madison commuters are not the only ones who will experience the environmentally-friendly and quiet ride of the hybrid-powered buses. Two of the five buses will run routes on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. By using the GM-Allison hybrid system to shuttle students, the university will reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

The Metro Transit fleet joins nearly 815 GM-Allison hybrid-equipped buses operating in 71 cities in North America and Europe . Orders for an additional 379 hybrid bus systems in North America will be fulfilled throughout 2007.

Metro Transit General Manager Chuck Kamp said, “Metro is committed to both individual customer and broader community satisfaction. Whether people ride the bus or not, we want our community to know that we are looking out for its best interests. These hybrid buses showcase to our community that we are dedicated to providing cutting-edge technology that translates to clean, fuel-efficient service.”

“GM is committed to applying hybrid technology to the highest fuel-consuming vehicles on the road, including mass transit buses,” said Beth Lowery, GM vice president, environment,

energy and safety policy. “Successful projects like this one require strong partnerships between industry and government, and we commend Metro Transit and the UW-Madison for their decision to choose GM-Allison’s hybrid technology and their commitment to improving fuel economy and reducing emissions in their communities.”

According to a study conducted in 2006 by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, transit buses with GM-Allison’s hybrid technology deliver up to 75 percent better fuel economy than traditional transit buses, and reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) up to 39 percent, particulate matter (PM) up to 97 percent, carbon monoxide up to 60 percent and hydrocarbons up to 75 percent. The report was published in December 2006, and can be viewed at http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/fleettest/pdfs/40585.pdf.

Other benefits of GM-Allison hybrid-powered buses include reduced maintenance costs resulting from extended brake, engine oil and transmission oil life, superior torque, and better acceleration.

“If the U.S. had only 1,000 GM hybrid powered buses operating in major cities, the cumulative savings would be more than 1.5 million gallons of fuel annually,” said Tom Stephens, group vice president for GM Powertrain. “With the cost of diesel fuel continuing to rise along with gas prices, this could save thousands of dollars and hundreds of gallons of fuel.”

The clean hybrid technology is manufactured by Allison Transmission, maker of transmissions and hybrid propulsion systems for commercial trucks, buses, off-highway equipment and military vehicles, headquartered in Indianapolis. Gillig Corp., located in Hayward, Calif. manufactures the buses.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 284,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries.

In 2006, 9.1 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.



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