June 3, 2010

Fisher Coachworks Develops Plug-In Electric Bus in Michigan (Text Version)

This is a text version of the video segment Fisher Coachworks Develops Plug-In Electric Bus in Michigan, which aired on June 3, 2010.

JOHN DAVIS: Our success story this week comes from Oak Park, Michigan, where Fisher Coachworks is developing a plug-in hybrid electric, mass transit bus that is both lean and mean.

A prototype of the ultra-lightweight, unibody GTB-40 bus is already being tested. It has a 100-mile range on battery power alone and over 300 miles with the use of a small natural gas–powered generator that recharges the batteries.

Fisher claims their bus is 30% lighter and gets two to three times the fuel economy of current hybrid buses.

GREG FISHER: In a typical diesel bus, you get about three miles per gallon in the city. With hybrids in the market today, you're getting about five miles per gallon equivalent. We're predicting north of 10 miles per gallon with our bus in a city application because of its light weight.

JOHN DAVIS: Fisher is currently building a second improved prototype. Partially funded by the Department of Energy, the Fisher GTB 40 has the potential of being the fit and trim city bus of the future.