Cleaner Diesel-Electric Hybrid Bus Planned By TTC

The Toronto Star reports that in two years hybrid buses should be on the streets in Toronto.

Rick Ducharme, chief general manager of the TTC, is planning to feature diesel-electric engines on all 330 buses which the TTC will order this summer. They use up to 33% less fuel and cut carbon monoxide emissions up to 90%. “Hybrid is the future,” Ducharme says.

At the moment there are only two dozen hybrid buses on North American streets, although this should change soon. Seattle has ordered 235 of GM’s hybrid buses while New York City has ordered 325 buses from GM’s main competitor, BAE. It takes up to two years to fill an order.

A diesel-engine bus costs $500,000 and a bus powered by GM’s hybrid engine costs $760,000. Transit systems could make up the cost due to cheaper fuel prices and less service time on engines and brakes.