New Flyer of America, one of the world’s leading independent global bus manufacturers, recently unveiled its next generation battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE NG heavy-duty transit bus, built on the proven Xcelsior platform. This comes after February’s debut of its Xcelsior AV, an electric and autonomous model bus that is being marked toward transit systems.
New Flyer unveils Xcelsior CHARGE NG
Based on New Flyer’s low-floor transit bus that the company introduced in 1991, the Xcelsior was launched in 2009, with more than 16,000 delivered to date. Having surpassed 4.5 million service miles with its battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE and fuel cell-electric Xcelsior CHARGE H2 buses, New Flyer applied that research to develop its newest electric bus.
Xcelsior CHARGE NG incorporates three distinct technology advancements to deliver a high-performance bus, including next generation, high-energy batteries that extend range up to 13 percent, advanced protective battery packaging designed for easy install and simpler serviceability, and a new lightweight electric traction drive system with up to 90 percent energy recovery, according to a press release from New Flyer.
“The Xcelsior CHARGE NG harnesses the best technology on the market. It includes a streamlined design that reduces maintenance, increases energy density, and improves energy recovery while significantly reducing weight—offering a lighter, more energy efficient, and longer range electric bus,” said New Flyer and MCI President Chris Stoddart. “As EV demand continues to build, so too has our innovation. With better manufacturability, higher energy recovery, fewer parts, and improved system durability, our Xcelsior CHARGE NG is a high-performance bus that is more sustainable and easier to maintain.”
New Flyer says that it manufactures its own batteries in its bus production facilities, and that the internally developed battery packaging utilizes single waterproof enclosure design and offers weight reduction and simpler maintenance, decreasing the number of parts by 90 percent. This design also allows technicians to simply “plug in” or “unplug” individual battery packs, significantly reducing bus downtime and allowing easy replacement as needed in future, according to the company.
High-energy, long-range batteries utilize an active liquid cooling system to maintain temperature and respond quickly to increases in power demand and environmental loads. The batteries are also better insulated, lending optimal temperature maintenance, prolonged battery life, and greater power efficiency, according to New Flyer.
“Millions of people count on us every day, whether for reaching their destinations or expecting the highest quality from our technology,” said New Flyer Vice President of Public Sector Sales and Marketing Jennifer McNeill. “This is why, alongside vehicle technology advancements, we have evolved our manufacturing and field services processes to ensure a safe, reliable, scalable approach to be ready for tomorrow’s growing electric bus demand today. In turn, we also enhanced training for our teams and those of transit agencies across North America; enabling EV adoption while supporting continuous workforce development to drive the new mobility era.”
To provide workforce development on Xcelsior CHARGE NG technologies, New Flyer will host a no-cost virtual training session on May 26 through the company’s Vehicle Innovation Center (VIC). To register for the VIC session, or to learn more about the Xcelsior CHARGE NG battery-electric bus, visit newflyer.com/NG.
[03.16.21]