GRAND RAPIDS, MI–(Marketwired – May 14, 2014)
Vanner Incorporated is proud to announce a major milestone in its Hybrid energy management technologies development with the delivery of its 1000th Hybrid Beltless Alternator (HBA™) to “The Rapid” in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The arrival of the HBA™ ready Gillig bus marks the fast growing success of Vanner’s Hybrid technology product line.
“Receiving this bus is very exciting for all of us at The Rapid,” explains Peter Varga CEO for The Rapid, the transit system serving the greater Grand Rapids area. “As the number one mid-sized transit system of the year we know other transit authorities are watching us and looking to see what we are doing right. I can say with confidence that our growing fleet of HBA™ equipped hybrids is definitely one of those things we are doing right.”
Products like the HBA™ are the result of healthy collaboration between Vanner and OEMs like Gillig. “Our goal is to produce the most reliable, durable and cost effective bus to maintain and operate and this advanced technology helps us do just that,” explains Joe Policarpio, Vice President for Sales and Marketing at Gillig. “We purchased the first HBA™ in 2010 and we’re proud to have received the 1000th HBA™. It is technology that works for Gillig and our customers. We’re also pleased to say it is American made.”
The Vanner Hybrid Beltless Alternator is an energy efficient solid state DC conversion alternative to traditional mechanical-drive alternator systems that reduces maintenance, fuel consumption and emissions. Running at 92-95% conversion efficiency, a single HBA™ configuration can deliver up to 300 amps at idle (24 VDC) and with a Dual HBA™ equipped bus up to 600 amps at idle (24VDC) are capable. An Electric Beltless Alternator (EBA™) configuration is available for electric, fuel cell and battery buses.
HBA™ and EBA™ equipped vehicles are currently in service in fifty seven transit authorities across North America and six countries worldwide including Spain, India, Turkey, Poland, Malaysia and Brazil. Made in Hilliard, Ohio, the Vanner HBA™ is fully “Buy America” compliant. Over one hundred twenty HBA™s have been ordered since delivery of the 1000thHBA™ to Grand Rapids and the HBA™ is quickly becoming the preferred DC-DC conversion system for Allison Hybrid buses due to its energy efficiency and fuel savings.
“Our hybrid bus fleet already receives a 20% savings in fuel consumption with the Gillig Hybrid,” continues Varga. “Integrating the Vanner HBA™ will further those savings. The reduced maintenance and parts replacement costs over the life of the bus are additional benefits to our fleet. As stewards of our environment we find the Vanner HBA™ equipped bus a natural fit because we know that we are not only putting a more efficient bus in service, we are also providing a greener transit ride for our community.”
About Vanner Incorporated
Vanner Incorporated is a privately held company producing commercial vehicle energy management systems since 1977. Vanner is a leader in developing energy 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 awarding winning engineering and innovation. Vanner’s products are proven, road-tested, rugged, reliable and safe.
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