Hybrid Bus Powered By BAE Systems Enters London Transit Fleet

LONDON — A red London bus with a BAE Systems hybrid electric drive train was delivered this week to Transport for London and Metrobus, one of the city’s principal bus operators. The bus, a double-deck model built by Britain’s Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL), is among 17 hybrid units built by ADL and BAE Systems that will be evaluated in passenger service starting later this year.

Delivery of the bus at Euro Bus Expo 2008 in Birmingham, U.K., marks the introduction of BAE Systems’ HybriDrive® propulsion technology to the European market. The diesel-electric drive system, already in use on more than 1,500 buses in North American cities, is the world’s leading hybrid system for urban transit.

“Our hybrid technology is the most proven in the industry, with more than 70 million miles of revenue service to date,” said Rob Lindsey, BAE Systems director of transport systems for the U.K. and Europe. “Joining with Alexander Dennis brings the combined benefits of improved fuel economy, lower production of greenhouse gases and other emissions, and reduced vehicle maintenance to the transit system and to the residents of London.”

The HybriDrive system is used by transit agencies in New York, San Francisco, Houston, Toronto, and Ottawa. The system reduces emissions and fuel consumption while meeting the durability requirements of demanding urban transit operations. It consists of a generator, an electric motor, and an energy storage system managed by computerized controls. A diesel engine that turns the generator operates independently of the electric drive motor, allowing it to run at nearly consistent speed for optimum efficiency.

The system uses no mechanical transmission, a major maintenance item on traditional diesel buses, and features a regenerative braking system that produces electric power while reducing wear on the buses’ conventional friction brakes.

The bus delivered to the London fleet uses a lithium-ion energy storage system that increases battery life and reduces vehicle weight compared to previous hybrid designs. Lower weight further improves fuel economy and cuts emissions, and the battery system is self-monitoring and easy to service for further savings in maintenance costs.

To date, buses equipped with BAE Systems’ HybriDrive propulsion system have saved five million gallons of diesel fuel and prevented more than 50,000 tons of carbon emissions.

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems is the premier global defense and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 100,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems’ sales exceeded £15.7 billion (US $31.4 billion) in 2007.