Vanner announces that Ohio State University’s two new GILLIG hybrid-electric buses are equipped with Vanner Hybrid Beltless Alternators™ (HBA’s™). Two buses were purchased as part of OSU’s Scarlet, Gray and Green program for Campus Area Bus Service (CABS). These buses were manufactured and delivered to OSU by GILLIG LLC in Hayward, CA. The buses use the H 40 EP Allison Transmission Hybrid System. Vanner is a corporate partner to the OSU Center for Automotive Research (CAR). Vanner was also also the recipient of the 2010 TechColumbus Green innovation Award for the HBA™.
The HBA™ advanced converter technology was invented, developed and manufactured by the team at Vanner, Inc. in Hilliard, Ohio. Many OSU graduates were contributors, including Vanner President, Steven Funk.
The Vanner Hybrid Beltless Alternator™ (HBA™) is a solid state device that converts a portion of the hybrid’s “green” electrical power to electrify the bus with a 24 volt electrical system. The HBA™ converts 600 volts DC from the hybrid propulsion system to 24 volts DC. The HBA™ replaces the traditional, large, belt-driven, mechanical alternator that has increased in size over time as bus technology has advanced and more electrical features have been added to the transit bus.
Thomas Holman, the assistant director of transportation operations for the OSU Department of Transportation and Parking, oversees the transportation, fleet and maintenance areas of OSU CABS, including these two new buses. “The buses reduce CO2 emissions by about 50 percent and reduce maintenance costs,” Holman said. “The majority of the maintenance savings is in the brakes. The buses use a regenerative braking system which considerably extends the life of the brakes. Additionally, the buses have smaller engines and require less fluids so there is a reduction in preventive maintenance as well.”
About Vanner
Vanner, a leader in commercial vehicle power management systems since 1977, develops power management solutions for transit and coach buses, ambulances, trucks, mobile office and military vehicles. Vanner continues to solve operational, fuel efficiency and emission challenges for commercial transportation with renowned engineering and innovation and road-tested, rugged, reliable and safe products.
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