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  • Hybrid-electric transit bus photo. Hybrid-Electric Transit Buses –Working with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), we supported the development of a prototype hybrid-electric transit bus for New York City Transit and then helped that agency buy 10 hybrid-electric transit buses for use on city streets. Following the successful demonstration of these pilot buses, the MTA took delivery of an additional 815 for New York City and an additional 850 are currently on order. In 2002, this program won the Clean Air Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

    More recently, we teamed up with NYSERDA again and the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation to purchase four hybrid-electric buses for Roosevelt Island residents and visitors. These stylish red buses now provide most of the bus service on the 147-acre island, located in the East River off Manhattan.

    Hybrid electric busThe hybrid buses are all designed with an electric-drive system which includes a battery pack and an electric motor. The mechanical energy from braking is converted back into electrical energy and supplies additional power to accelerate and climb hills. The hybrid technology, combined with a diesel particulate filter and the use of ultra-low-sulfur fuel, have reduced the emissions of particulate matter by 90 percent, nitrogen oxides by 40 percent and greenhouse gases by 30 percent.  Fuel consumption for the hybrid buses is 25 to 35 percent less than for a standard diesel bus, and all of these buses are being made in New York State, providing jobs at upstate companies. 
  • School Bus Emission Reduction Program – As part of a $23 million program to offset emissions of air pollutants in four New York City boroughs, we initiated a $6 million program to install pollution control systems on up to 1,500 city school buses in service with the New York City Board of Education. The program, which is being implemented in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, converts bus fueling facilities to dispense ultra-low-sulfur fuel and equips buses with emission control devices such as diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs).  The use of ultra-low-sulfur fuel, along with exhaust system modifications like DOCs, reduces emission levels of particulates, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides and total hydrocarbons.
  • Image of hybrid electric heavy duty truck Hybrid Electric Trucks – In 2006, we assisted Charmer Sunbelt, the largest beverage distributor in the United States, in the development of a pilot project, involving two hybrid trucks to see whether hybrid technology can be used to power the class 7 heavy duty trucks that help carry Charmer’s beverages nationwide. The trucks went into full-service in January 2007.  They are being used in beverage deliveries throughout New York City’s five boroughs and western Nassau County. During their operation the trucks will also be used to document fuel savings and performance characteristics compared to conventional trucks. The hybrid trucks are estimated save 35 percent in fuel costs, and are anticipated to reduce emissions of hydrocarbons by 76 percent, carbon monoxide by 77 percent, nitrogen oxides by 39 percent and particulate matter by 64 percent.
  • Image of electric Baggage TugAirport Electrification – We recently assisted Delta Airlines with replacement of their diesel operated, ground support vehicles with electric models at the Marine Air Terminal of LaGuardia Airport.  We co-funded the cost of high-tech rapid chargers and helped Delta find additional financing. The Marine Air Terminal project retired almost the entire fleet of Delta’s ground support equipment (15 pieces) and replaced it with a fleet of electric powered vehicles and a computer-controlled rapid battery charging system.  The project removes roughly 19.2 tons of harmful pollutants from the atmosphere each year, including 12.4 tons of nitrogen oxides, 0.8 tons of particulate matter, 4.6 tons of carbon monoxide, and 1.4 tons of hydrocarbons.  Over the service life of the fleet, the project is anticipated to reduce harmful emissions by 256.4 tons. In partnership with Albany County Airport Authority, we also placed a fleet of clean electric vehicles at Albany International Airport (read more), and we are currently working on similar programs at Westchester County airport in Harrison, Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, and John F. Kennedy airport in New York City.
  • Photo of electric school busElectric School Buses – We introduced the first two all-electric school buses to operate in the Northeast.
  • Delivery Vans – Following a successful NYPA-funded demonstration project to use all-electric trucks for mail delivery in Manhattan, which we undertook with the New York City DOT, the Northeast Alternative Vehicle Consortium and Solectria Corp., the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) purchased 20 two-ton capacity electric delivery vans. Known as CitiVans, they have Postal delivery vanreplaced diesel trucks that traveled short distances and idled for extended periods. More recently, NYPA purchased eight CitiVans for mail delivery in the Bronx and two for the Flushing Post Office in Queens as part of the program to offset emissions of air pollutants in four New York City boroughs. With the two original vans from the demonstration project, the USPS now has a total of 32 CitiVans in its fleet. This is "e-mail" in its truest sense—mail delivery with an all-electric delivery van.
  • Green Zones – Several customers from around the state have signed on to one of our latest programs which aims to replace traditional gasoline- and diesel-fueled vehicles and equipment with cleaner, more efficient electric and hybrid-electric vehicles and outdoor power equipment. The program is targeted for parks, college campuses, and other limited access areas—or green zones.  In addition to improving air quality, the program is also geared toward identifying test markets for new technologies and products, such as our new custom-designed Club Car Carryall truck which is equipped with a bank of batteries and accessory outlets to power electric outdoor equipment used in the field.  We work with our Green Zones partners to identify products (both commercially available and new technologies) that could adequately replace older equipment and provide technical assistance and co-funding to help with their purchase and implementation.  As part of the program, participants are asked to provide data on the performance of the new vehicles and equipment and we calculate resulting emissions reductions and fuel savings. Statewide, more than 20 Green Zones communities have been established since we began the program in 2005 and over 50 vehicles have been replaced.
  • Green Fleets – This programs aims to replace traditional gasoline or diesel-fueled vehicles with electric or hybrid-electric vehicles in customer fleets.  A wide range of vehicles have been placed in service under this program, from heavy-duty utility trucks and shuttle buses to electric trams and forklifts. By sharing these vehicles with large numbers of users, we’re further expanding public awareness of the benefits of EV technology.

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