Zero Emission Propulsion System Transit Bus
InformationinTechnology
Solutions
Demonstration
Washington State
Project Overview
This project will develop, deploy, and test an advanced batteryelectric bus in transit service. The bus is projected to have 100mile range and be fully charged in around five hours. The bus,
developed by Complete Coach Works (CCW) of Riverside, CA,
with be deployed and tested with Ben Franklin Transit, of
Richland, WA. CCW has branded their drive system as ZEPS, the
Zero Emission Propulsion System.
In order to overcome the high cost of battery buses, the
demonstration bus will be remanufactured from an existing
diesel bus owned by Ben Franklin Transit. The existing bus will be
reconditioned to a nearly new condition complete with an allelectric powered drivetrain system. This remanufacturing
process saves money compared to a new electric bus, is faster to
implement, and reduces the environmental impact of retired
vehicles. The bus will be Buy America compliant.
Using this process, the remanufactured ZEPS bus cost about half
as much as a new battery-electric bus and just 30% more than
the cost of a new diesel bus. In addition, because the electric
drivetrain will significantly reduce fuel, operation and
maintenance costs compared to a diesel drivetrain, the ZEPS bus
would save as much as $266,000 over the life of the vehicle,
compared to a diesel bus according to CCW.
Ben Franklin Transit will test the bus in revenue service for 10
months on a predefined route. During operation, the project
partners will collect and analyze the performance and
operational problems, in order to refine the vehicle and its
systems. A charging station will be installed for fast charging
along or near the route.
CCW Zero Emission Propulsion System (ZEPS) Bus
Why It’s Important
Electric buses save fuel, lower greenhouse gases, and improve air
quality compared to diesel buses. Using grid electricity, the ZEPS
bus cuts GHG emissions by 25%, and when powered by renewable
sources, eliminates 98% of GHGs. In full operation, a single ZEPS
bus could eliminate 52 tons of GHG and 16,000 gallons of diesel
every year. Because the ZEPS bus is based on a remanufactured
vehicle rather than a new bus, the costs of the bus, and
incremental costs over a new diesel bus, will be dramatically lower.
Project Partners
Complete Coach Works is the nation’s largest bus remanufacturing
and retrofit company with over twenty five years of experience in
the transportation and transit sectors.
Fast Facts
The bus costs about half the price of new electric buses and
just 30% more than a new diesel bus.
The bus has a targeted range of 100 miles, a targeted charge
time of 5.5 hours, and a target equivalent of 15.8 MPG.
In full operation, a ZEPS bus could eliminate 52 tons of GHG
and 16,000 gallons of diesel every year.
The vehicle carries a 213kwh battery pack, capable of charging
at 40kw.
For More
Information:
Two Proterra EcoRide™ BE-35 buses will be in service
Andrew Papson
apapson@calstart.org
(626) 744-5679
Ben Franklin Transit provides public transportation, vanpool, and
ridesharing services to the Richland/Tri-Cities region of
Washington State, carrying nearly 5 million passengers annually.
CALSTART works with business, fleets, and government to develop
and implement clean, efficient transportation solutions.
Federal Transit Administration funds nationally significant
research, development, demonstration, deployment, and
evaluation projects to improve public transportation services.
Project Location: Riverside, CA (manufacturing)
Richland, WA (demonstration)