Gillig, Cummins In E-Powertrain Partnership

Transit bus specialist Gillig LLC and Cummins announced the formation of an electrified power partnership at the APTA public transportation show in Atlanta. The technical collaboration work focuses on integrating and optimizing new battery electric technology from Cummins that will soon power Gillig zero-emissions transit buses.

“Gillig has a very strong business relationship with Cummins,” said Derek Maunus, Gillig president. “And now with our new technical partnership, we have been able to share our respective technology roadmaps and jointly develop a vision to deliver the most comprehensive, advanced technology battery electric bus in the market for our customers.

“We have leveraged our companies’ decades of heavy-duty transit experience in the design of the system and will integrate this advanced technology into Gillig’s industry leading proven platform.”

Initial development work for the new battery electric Gillig bus envisions a 200-mile operating range on a single charge. The bus will feature a direct-drive traction motor with peak torque of 3500 Nm/2582 lb.ft. and will utilize energy recovered from a regenerative braking system. A package of e-accessories will be powered by the Cummins system. The initial bus deployment will use a plug-in charger.

“The Cummins electrified powertrain on show here at APTA represents a major leap forward for the industry and we are delighted that Gillig will have first access to this important zero-emissions technology,” said Amy Boerger, Cummins vice president — Sales North America. “The partnership enables a close technical collaboration so we can accelerate system integration and performance optimization work to leap ahead of others in the industry.

“Beyond the technical development work, the partnership will also encompass the full range of 24/7 service support, diagnostics, over-the-air connectivity, flexible warranty plans and training programs ready for when these Gillig electric buses enter service. At Cummins, we see our customer support network as equally important as the technology we provide to ensure the success of our customers — and this is a major advantage we will carry forward when we introduce electrified systems.”

Cummins currently powers the Gillig series of Low Floor, BRT, BRTPlus, Commuter and Trolley buses with a broad portfolio of diesel, natural gas and diesel-hybrid power. The addition of Cummins electrified power systems to the bus range will align with transit customers looking to introduce zero-emissions buses to their fleets while still maintaining commonality with their existing Gillig vehicles and service support provision.

“Cummins and Gillig have been working together since the 1950s to introduce innovative bus power solutions,” said Maunus. “And I am really excited to be continuing that success forward into the new era of electric buses.”

For more information: www.gillig.com

For more information: www.cummins.com