Press releases

SunLine Unveiled New Hydrogen Fuel Cell Hybrid Bus Powered by ISE Corporation's Hybrid Drive System

SAN DIEGO, CA, December 1, 2005 — SunLine unveiled its new hybrid fuel cell bus powered by a hybrid drive system designed and produced by ISE Corporation at the 2005 Fuel Cell Seminar, which took place in Palm Springs, California from 14-18 November. Over 2,200 participants, representing over 36 different countries, attended the annual Fuel Cell Seminar, making it the largest fuel cell gathering in the world.

Participating in the ribbon-cutting ceremony were (see photo, from right to left): Mikel Oglesby, SunLine Transit Agency General Manager; Tavin Tyler, ISE Fuel Cell Program Manager; Jan van Dokkum, UTC Power President; Richard Kelly, SunLine Transit Agency Board Chairman; Shang Hsiung, Transportation Program Manager, Federal Transit Administration; and Ken Koyama of the California Energy Commission.

Also on hand for the unveiling ceremony were Rosanna Contreras, City of Coachella Council Member representing Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia (R-Cathedral City) and state Sen. Jim Battin (R-La Quinta). After the unveiling ceremony at the 2005 Fuel Cell Seminar in Palm Springs CA, seminar attendees experienced first-hand the smooth ride and power of this new zero-emission bus. The 40-foot bus goes into service in December 2005.

The new SunLine bus is a Hydrogen fueled hybrid-electric fuel cell bus. ISE Corporation designed and integrated the fuel cell hybrid drive system into the 40-foot long U.S. transit bus size chassis. The bus features a European-style design A330 bus chassis manufactured by Van Hool of Lier, Belgium. UTC Power of South Windsor, Conn supplied the bus' 120kW fuel cell system. The bus was shipped to the United States in January 2005 and SunLine received the completed bus from ISE on November 4, 2005.

SunLine has been working toward providing hydrogen-fueled transport since before 2000, and is an international leader in this field. Because of its reputation in the industry, the hot, desert climate and the diligence of elected officials, SunLine was chosen to receive one of these new buses through Federal and State grant funding. Funds were available to purchase only four such vehicles nationwide. The other three " also integrated by ISE " were distributed to AC Transit in Oakland, CA earlier this year for use in a larger metropolitan area and in a hilly geographic location. The average cost of each bus was $3,140,000, including the non-recurring cost of development.

Unique to this configuration is a three-door entry system, allowing for quicker entry and exit and a special center wheel chair ramp. The bus also has a low floor at curb level, thus eliminating high steps for entry. The bus can hold a maximum of 29 passengers seated, with its estimated lifespan the same as that of traditional transit buses " 12 years or 500,000 miles.

The combination of a smaller capacity 120kW PureMotion fuel cell from UTC, a system that recuperates energy from the brakes, and an efficient electric power storage system is the answer to reducing the consumption of hydrogen without increasing the cost of the power system. The users of this bus will be able to experience a quiet vehicle that can travel up to 70 miles per hour on the freeway, up 17% grades for a range over 300 miles, all without producing any smog-creating or greenhouse gas emissions.

About ISE Corporation:
ISE Corporation, based in San Diego, is a leading supplier of hybrid drive systems and components for heavy-duty vehicles such as buses, trucks, trams, airport equipment, and military vehicles. ISE is a world leader in electric, hybrid-electric, and fuel cell technologies, and the U.S. distributor for Siemens ELFA® electric and hybrid-electric drive components.

Contact:
Gary Willms
gwillms@isecorp.com
www.isecorp.com