The Foothill Transit Ecoliner electric bus complements state and federal efforts to achieve ambient air quality standards, including helping California reach the environmental goals for greenhouse gases stipulated in AB 32 and SB 375.
10,800,000
The Ecoliner is a battery-electric, zero-tailpipe emissions transit bus that offers up to 90% reduced fuel costs, lower maintenance costs, and up to 90% energy recapture through regenerative braking. Unlike traditional electric vehicles whose range is dictated by the number of onboard batteries, the Ecoliner is capable of operating on its routes 24-hours per day, seven days per week on routes outfitted with fast-charge stations. The Ecoliner is capable of being fast charged from a 10% state of charge to a 95% state of charge in approximately 10 minutes. The bus is equipped with nano safe lithium titanate battery technology, with an expected battery life of up to 25 years.
The northbound buses travel 8.1 miles to the end of the route while the southbound buses travel approximately 8.0 miles. The roundtrip is 16.1 miles in total length. The line was specifically chosen for commercialization of the technology because of its roundtrip mileage, minimal deadhead from the Pomona Operations and Maintenance Facility, and its ridership demographic. Coaches on Line 291 transport five percent of Foothill Transit's total annual ridership, or approximately 750,000 patrons.
The objective of this project was to demonstrate in actual revenue service the capabilities of zero-emission electric transit buses. Foothill Transit purchased 12 fast-charge Ecoliner electric buses and placed them into service on Foothill's Line 291, serving the cities of La Verne on the north and Pomona to the south.
During the period from March 2, 2014 to March 29, 2014, the buses were drive 5,568 miles, achieving estimated fuel savings of 1,392 diesel gallons equivalent. The average time per charge at the Pomona Transit Center charging station was 5 minutes 11 seconds.
The project is complete and all 12 Ecoliner buses have been received, inspected, accepted, and registered. Three buses have been placed into service to date while nine buses await delivery of new Computer-aided Dispatching and Automatic Vehicle Locator equipment. The equipment is expected to be installed by the end of May, 2014.