Technology collaboration will soon power new GILLIG Battery Electric Buses

Published by Cummins: Read the article.  

October 9, 2017

Atlanta, GA. – GILLIG LLC and Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) announced today their electrifed power partnership at the APTA public transportation show taking place in Atlanta. The technical collaboration work focuses on integrating and optimizing new battery electric technology from Cummins that will soon power GILLIG zero-emissions transit buses.

The technical development agreement was announced by Derek Maunus, President of GILLIG, and Amy Boerger, Cummins Vice President — Sales North America. A press event to introduce the new electrifed bus power systems will be held at 10.30 a.m. ET on Tuesday, October 10 at the Cummins APTA booth in Hall B #1933.

“GILLIG has a very strong business relationship with Cummins — and now, with our new technical partnership, we have been able to share our respective technology roadmaps and jointly develop a vision to deliver the most comprehensive, advanced technology battery electric bus in the market for our customers,” said Maunus.

“We have leveraged our companies’ decades of heavy duty transit experience in the design of the system, and will integrate this advanced technology into GILLIG’s industry leading proven platform,” added Maunus.

Boerger commented, “The Cummins electriffed powertrain on show here at APTA represents a major leap forward for the industry, and we are delighted that GILLIG will have first access to this important zero-emissions technology. The partnership enables a close technical collaboration so we can accelerate system integration and performance optimization work to leap ahead of others in the industry.”

Initial development work for the new battery electric GILLIG bus envisions a 200-mile operating range on a single charge. The bus will feature a direct-drive traction motor with peak torque of 3500 Nm (2582 lbs-ft), and utilize energy recovered from a regenerative braking system. A package of e-accessories will be powered by the Cummins system. The initial bus deployment will use a plug-in charger.

“Beyond the technical development work, the partnership will also encompass the full range of 24/7 service support, diagnostics, over-the-air connectivity, flexible warranty plans and training programs ready for when these GILLIG electric buses enter service,” said Boerger

“At Cummins, we see our customer support network as equally important as the technology we provide to ensure the success of our customers — and this is a major advantage we will carry forward when we introduce electrified systems,” added Boerger.

Cummins currently powers the GILLIG series of Low Floor, BRT, BRTPlus, Commuter and Trolley buses with a broad portfolio of clean-diesel, nearzero natural gas and diesel-hybrid power. The addition of Cummins electrifed power systems to the bus range will align with transit customers looking to introduce zero-emissions buses to their fleets while still maintaining commonality with their existing GILLIG vehicles and service support provision. *

“Cummins and GILLIG have been working together since the 1950s to introduce innovative bus power solutions — and I am really excited to be continuing that success forward into the new era of electric buses,” noted Maunus.

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About GILLIG LLC

GILLIG is the leading manufacturer of heavy-duty transit buses in the United States. From initial design through final assembly, each GILLIG bus is designed and built by dedicated Americans in Livermore, California. GILLIG buses are known for their unmatched quality, and have earned their reputation as the lowest-cost buses to maintain and operate. After 127 years, GILLIG holds strong to its family values and focus on its employees and customers. Our motivated
and dedicated employees have a passion for quality and customer satisfaction. GILLIG is committed to building buses that connect communities, eliminate congestion and contribute to a greener environment. Further information about GILLIG can be found at www.gillig.com.

About Cummins Inc.

Cummins Inc., a global power leader, is a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service diesel and natural gas engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (USA), Cummins currently employs approximately 55,400 people worldwide, and serves customers in approximately 190 countries and territories through a network of approximately 600 company-owned and independent distributor locations and approximately 7,400 dealer locations. Cummins earned $1.39 billion on sales of $17.5 billion in 2016. Press releases can be found on the web at cummins.com or cumminsengines.com. Follow Cummins on Twitter at twitter.com/cumminsengines and on YouTube at youtube.com/cumminsengines. SOURCE Cummins Inc. Related Links http://cummins.com