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Bus provider ABC Companies is conducting a North American demo tour of its 100 percent battery electric Van Hool motorcoach models along with several zero-emission cutaway shuttle vehicles. These electric vehicles showcase the potential for transporting 12 to 69 passengers completely emissions free. The Van Hool TDX25E Double Deck 69-passenger motorcoach, and the CX45E 52-passenger coach utilize Proterra battery systems and are capable of ranges over 250 miles per charge. In addition, the tour also includes 100 percent battery electric cutaway shuttles based on popular chassis options including the Ford E450. Since early May, the company has sponsored tours and test drives with customers in key regions around the country to showcase the EV models, while creating awareness and educating commercial users, their communities, stakeholders, and lawmakers about the many benefits of zero-emissions ground transportation.
With tour stops across the US and Canada, it has also highlighted the flexibility of these vehicles to travel utilizing publicly available chargers. With the growing number of available fast chargers through networks such as Electrify America, the tour has also included a number of long-distance connections between tour stops. Most recently, the Van Hool TDX25E double deck motorcoach traveled more than 2,500 miles from Florida to California exclusively on public chargers. This follows a number of other trips completed by other tour vehicles showcasing their flexibility across various temperatures, travel speeds, elevations, grades and more. All vehicles are monitored in real time with telematics systems capturing precise locations, vehicle performance, energy usage, projected ranges, and more, providing ongoing learning and real-world data.
ABC Companies President & CCO Roman Cornell
“The goal of the ABC Companies Zero Emissions Tour is simple: we want customers and communities to understand that zero-emissions coach and shuttle travel is a reality now, even as technology and infrastructure is still growing. There are a lot of misconceptions and confusion about what is reality versus what is still in development. Bringing these vehicles directly to our customers, demonstrates our confidence in their potential to transform travel now. This is a rare moment in time for the motorcoach and passenger transportation industry to lead a transformation that is top of mind with the public and our government,” said ABC Companies President & CCO Roman Cornell.
Through the Zero Emissions Tour initiative, ABC Companies is committed to supporting the net-zero sustainability goals of communities, municipalities and regional operations throughout North America. The company’s diverse portfolio of clean-diesel and EV commercial ground transportation vehicles and programs are designed to integrate world-class technology, technical expertise, and aftermarket support that focus on a cleaner future.
“We’ve shaped this program to give our operators the unique ability to experience electric vehicles in their fleets firsthand, which in turn allows them to promote and directly demonstrate to customers and communities their commitment to green transportation and a zero-emissions future,” said ABC Companies Vice President Marketing Thom Peebles.
Visit abc-companies.com for more information.
[06.28.22]
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UK-based magazine Professional Driver, which is also the producer of the famed QSi Awards celebrating the best drivers and chauffeured transportation companies in the UK, announced that its annual Car of the Year judging will take place this August 23-24 at Epsom Racecourse in Epsom Downs, Surrey.
This unique event allows transportation companies and drivers to be the jury in naming the best in class by test-driving more than 50 vehicles from a variety of manufacturers—including Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Ford, BMW, Audi, and more—in real-world conditions. The categories include:
- Private Hire Car of the Year
- Executive Car of the Year
- Chauffeur Car of the Year
- MPV of the Year
- Luxury SUV of the Year
- Estate Car of the Year
Pro Driver is encouraging people to register (bring staff!) to be judges as the more test-drivers they have, the better the results will be. Judging is expected run from 9:30 am through 5:00 pm. Be sure to register online in advance, as you will be required to carry out an online DVLA licence check ahead of the event. It is free to participate.
Pro Driver notes that a short road route will be provided, and you are welcome to drive as many vehicles as possible, followed by a short, one-page questionnaire about the experience.
The winners will be announced at the magazine’s 2022 QSi Awards dinner on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, South Wales.
Visit prodrivermags.com for more information.
[06.28.22]
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Norcal Limousine Vice President Qaiser “Q” Patel
Sacramento-based ground transportation company NorCal Limousine is excited to announce the addition of Qaiser “Q” Patel to the team. Patel joins the company as vice president and will be responsible for large group transportation, dedicated route management, client retention, and employee satisfaction.
Patel comes to NorCal with 10 years of luxury ground transportation experience at the ownership level and many years of expertise in management, marketing, startups, and coaching, which he will utilize to help with general business improvement.
“Q was my competitor, but it was always friendly,” says NorCal CEO Cody Osborne. “After he sold his portion of the company he owned, I knew that if the opportunity presented itself, I had to have him on the team. Two years and a lot of talking later, I now have a very charismatic and influential Q as my vice president, and I couldn’t be happier.”
Founded in 2015, NorCal Limousine has a fleet of 17 vehicles ranging from SUVs, Sprinters, sedans, limousines, and minibuses. The company is largely corporate- and affiliate-based serving the Sacramento, Napa, and Lake Tahoe areas.
Visit norcalimo.com for more information.
[6.27.22]