Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation this month formally introduced its first commercially available hybrid power system in China with Beiqi Foton Bus Company, deploying the hybrid system in 30 city buses for Guangzhou Yiqi Bus.
Eaton is a leading provider of diesel-electric hybrid power systems in the United States for truck and bus applications and is also pioneering hydraulic hybrid power systems technologies for use in refuse trucks, delivery vehicles, buses and other applications.
Beiqi Foton Bus Company and Eaton delivered the 30 hybrid diesel-electric transit buses to Guangzhou Yiqi Bus on January 11 during a ceremony hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce as part of its Clean Energy Trade Mission to China and India. The 30 buses will be deployed to carry passengers in the city, with an expected fuel savings of up to 27 percent, along with similar reductions in particulate and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.
“We are pleased to provide Eaton’s hybrid power system technology in working with Beiqi Foton to meet the needs of Guangzhou Yiqi Bus,” said James W. McGill, Eaton vice president - Asia/Pacific. “Innovative Eaton technologies such as our hybrid power systems are generating improved fuel economy and significant environmental benefits. We look forward to supplying more of these systems to serve the growing Chinese market.”
Kevin Beaty, leader of the hybrid power business unit in Eaton’s Truck Group, said delivery of the 30 hybrid powered buses is “a significant milestone for Eaton in placement of hybrid power in China. Vehicle makers, fleets and users in China are working hard to reduce pollution and greenhouse gases in their cities, and we are excited about being involved,” Beaty said. “This is one of those opportunities where ‘growth’ and ‘green’ can succeed together.”
Guangzhou Yiqi operates approximately half of the transit buses in Guangzhou, a city of 12 million people in China’s Guangdong province. Beiqi Foton Bus, one of China’s leading commercial vehicle makers, first brought Eaton’s hybrid power system to China in two prototype buses that were developed and deployed for testing in 2006.
“Guangzhou Yiqi Bus is making great strides to save energy and reduce greenhouse gases and emissions. We are very excited to cooperate with Beiqi Foton and Eaton Corporation to introduce hybrid power technology to Guangzhou city,” said Cheung Wai Hung, chairman of Guangzhou Yiqi. “It is our intention to expand the use of hybrid power in our bus fleet to take greater advantage of this reliable clean energy source.”