UQM TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (Amex: UQM), a developer of alternative energy technologies, has delivered two low-floor, natural gas hybrid electric transit buses manufactured by Hybrid Bus Technologies, LLC, to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to be transport passengers within the airport.
The hybrid electric transit buses are powered by two 100kW UQM propulsion systems and a 100kW UQM generator. They are an updated design of the 45-foot, low floor bus that has been transporting 63,500 passengers daily across the 1.3-mile long 16th Street pedestrian mall in Denver since 2000. Los Angeles World Airports has an alternative-fuel vehicle fleet totaling over 400 vehicles representing 50 percent of the airport’s entire 800 vehicle fleet. LAX also operates natural gas fueling stations to service its large alternative fuels vehicles. LAX recently opened one of the nations first compressed-hydrogen fueling stations to showcase the storage and dispensing of compressed-hydrogen fuel in a retail-friendly environment.
The hybrid electric transit buses are powered by a compressed natural gas fueled 2.5 liter Ford industrial engine that operates at 2,000 r.p.m. to generate electricity and power the bus. The electric propulsion system features regenerative braking, a process in which kinetic energy is converted to electric energy through the braking process and this electric energy is used to recharge the battery pack. Each 45-foot transit bus features a low floor design with no interior steps that makes it easier for passengers to step on and off the bus and can transport over 100 passengers.
UQM Technologies, Inc. develops and manufactures high efficiency electric motors, generators and power electronic controllers for the automotive, aerospace, medical, military and industrial markets. A major emphasis of the Company is developing products for the alternative energy technologies sector including propulsion systems for electric, hybrid electric and fuel cell electric vehicles, 42-volt under-the-hood power accessories and other vehicle auxiliaries and distributed power generation applications.
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